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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-02-20

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] FROM VISIT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO GERMANY
  • [02] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONVENES
  • [03] WHEAT SEED FREE OF LEVIES
  • [04] PRESS REVIEW
  • [05] "VEFA" COMPAMY STARTS TO MAKE FULL REPAYMENT TO INVESTORS
  • [06] AUTHORS OF A MURDER AND ROBBERY IN FIER UNDER ARREST
  • [07] "VEFA" COMPANY STARTS DISTRIBUTING CAPITAL INVESTMENT
  • [08] ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA FAVOUR ITS INDEPENDENCE AND NOT AUTONOMY - survey in the Albanian opinion of Kosova -
  • [09] FROM VISIT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO GERMANY
  • [10] VEFA COMPANY AFFILIATE DISTRIBUTES CAPITALS IN KORCA
  • [11] MACEDONIAN STUDENTS AND LYCEUM PUPILS PROTEST IN SHKUP AGAINST CLASSES TO BE HELD IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE
  • [12] MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT BERISHA TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
  • [13] DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE DAY OF DICTATORSHIP TOPPLING
  • [14] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE FEB 20, THE DAY OF COLLAPSE OF THE DICTATORSHIP
  • [15] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE FEB 20, THE DAY OF COLLAPSE OF THE DICTATORSHIP
  • [16] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS WITH STUDENTS OF VLORA UNIVERSITY
  • [17] SH.A. INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK OPENS IN ALBANIA
  • [18] FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH VIOLENCE IN A RALLY TODAY
  • [19] ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS BROUGHT HOME BY GREEK POLICE AUTHORITIES
  • [20] FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH VIOLENCE IN A RALLY TODAY
  • [21] FIVE POLICEMEN INJURED AFTER THE FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY RALLY TODAY
  • [22] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS BAVARIAN FINANCE MINISTER
  • [23] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSES WITH STUDENTS OF VLORA PROBLEMS IN THAT CITY

  • [01] FROM VISIT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO GERMANY

    TIRANA, FEB 19 (ATA)-Albanian Interior Minister Halit Shamata, who is visiting Germany, met Wednesday before noon with the Interior Minister of the Land of Bavaria, Dr. Beckstein.

    According to the spokesman of the Interior Ministry, Beckstein said he had followed with attention the latest developments in Albania and highly appreciated the stand of the Albanian police, who, he said, had avoided bloodshed through their self-control.

    "Albania has become for us a trusting partner", Beckstein said, adding that Germany has many investments in Albania and will intensify them.

    "The measures taken by the Albanian government to overcome the current situation are correct," he said.

    Shamata said that in contrast with some other ex-communist countries of Eastern Europe, no state institution in Albania has been involved in the pyramid schemes. He underlined the fact that in Albania the left opposition (ex-communists), has manipulated to the extreme the despair of the citizens who have lost their savings to these pyramid schemes.

    During the meeting they discussed measures to be taken to block illegal emigrants and drug traffic. The Germans also committed themselves to provide a considerable aid in equipment for the Albanian police and in their training.

    Shamata invited the Bavarian Interior Minister for a visit to Albania, an invitation which was accepted with pleasure. a.ke/kei/lm/e

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONVENES

    The Council of Ministers, presided over by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, approved on Monday the draft-law on "Dental health Service", which stipulates that for the ages under 18, the dental service expenditures will be covered completely by the state budget.

    The state budget will also cover the dental service in hospitals as well as categories of invalids and veterans. Although the dental service for the ages above 18 years of age is privatised the state will be the regulator of all the activity determining the organisation, operation and service regulations as well as the structures which control and have the power of punishment in cases when law violations are observed.

    The ministers also agreed to a series of cooperation agreements. The agreement between the Republic of Albania and FAO on the project "Service of Information and Fish Marketing for the Eastern European countries", was approved in principle. The agreements "Aid in Commodities VI" and "Aid in Commodities VII" between the RA and the government of the FRG" were as well approved.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] WHEAT SEED FREE OF LEVIES

    By a special degree from the Finance Ministry, wheat seed merchants will not pay customs and the Valued Added Tax (VAT), told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) sources from the Agricultural Production Department.

    "This issue is an important move of our government to foster the wheat production, through the cultivation of high quality seeds, the revoke of these two taxes drops the cost of the wheat seeds' purchase with 20 percent of the value," said Food and Agriculture Minister, Bamir Topi. According to Food and Agriculture Ministry specialists, abolishment of these taxes, sought for months from farmers and merchants as well, will boost importing, delivery and usage of qualitative seeds during this fall sowing season. "With this legal act coming into force at the high time, on the threshold of sowing, said Aleksander Mari, Director of Agricultural Production, the seed arrival price drops to 50-55 lek per kilogram, which means the seed price will reach the farmers is 60 lek per kilogram. The price will be fully accepted by the farmers." In the framework of the measures taken to ease the wheat seed situation, the last one was the most significant. M.Spa

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - Rilindja Demokratike under the title "Emergency solution to overcome the difficulties of loan-taking" covers the meeting of President Berisha with citizens of Elbasani. RD carries on the fourth page a statement of the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, under the title "Put an end to the political crisis in Albania". The paper reports that today, on February 20, at 13.00 in the Square in front of the University, the Democratic Party, branch of Tirana, organizes the rally: "The day of dismantling the symbols of dictatorship".

    Zeri i Popullit under the title "To protest together" informs about the meeting organized today by the Forum for Democracy at 14.00, on the occasion of toppling the communist dictatorship. In the heading "Actuality" the paper publishes the article "Today in Vlora is expected to start the hunger strike". Under the title "The state guilty for the great losses of Albanians", the paper carries an interview with Fehmi Abdiu, member of the SP Leading Council.

    Republika paper in the editorial reports regarding the day of toppling the communist dictatorship in Albania. The paper covers the meeting of President Berisha with citizens of Elbasan in the article "After Lushnje, even Elbasani a free zone".

    Lajmi i Dites highlights the meeting of President Berisha under the title "Together we will compensate the losses, and heal the wounds".

    Rilindja paper reports for the same meeting "Elbasani did not allow to be manipulated with its despair". On the fourth page the paper reports "Vefa interrupted the repayment of returns". The paper carries an exclusive statement of Abdurrahman Halili, chairman of the Party for Democratic Prosperity and Arber Xhaferri, chairman of the Democratic Prosperity Party of Albanians, on the occasion of reaching the agreement on local elections in Tetova, under the title "New phase in the pan-Albanian cooperation in Macedonia".

    Albania paper reports that "Vefa: Now even the capitals", regarding the decision of Vefa company for the distribution of capitals to its creditors. The paper covers the meeting of President Berisha in the article "The President promises quick overcoming of the loan-taking crisis". In the article "The unconditional dialogue threatens SP", is reported about the fact that SP boycotts the meeting incited by the Democratic Party for the situation in Albania".

    Dita Informacion reports: "Vefa: Stop to the returns" - Vefa President promises gradual refund of all deposits to its creditors.

    Koha Jone under the headline "The company does not distribute the returns. It is promised to refund capitals up to $5 000", reports "Vefa: The pyramid is collapsing". The paper informs that today, in Tirana, the opposition organizes a meeting to commemorate the toppling of dictator Hoxha bust.

    Gazeta Shqiptare entitles its editorial "The collapse of pyramids and the political enslavement of economy". The paper reports "Vefa settles accounts with loan-taking", regarding the announcment of Vefa president who declared that he will distribute the money to its creditors. /eva/mt/e/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] "VEFA" COMPAMY STARTS TO MAKE FULL REPAYMENT TO INVESTORS

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA)- The Vefa company started today, as it had announced, to make full repayment to all investors who had put up to 500 000 leks ($5.000) in the company, thus interrupting its loan-taking activity. pas/lm/E

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] AUTHORS OF A MURDER AND ROBBERY IN FIER UNDER ARREST

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - The forces of the criminal police of Fier commissariat detained the 31-year old Fatos Metushi, accused of killing on February 12 Sazan Arapi, 27.

    The spokesman of the Interior Ministry reports that the murder was committed with fire weapons and hard objects. The cadaver partially burnt was found buried some 4 km far from the village where the victim lived.

    The spokesman said that the Fieri Police Commissariat also detained and then arrested on February 17 Adriatic A. Culli, 35, from Levan village, accused of robbing a citizen on January 6 this year.

    Culli, who has been sentenced 5 other times by the judicial bodies, had left to escape the police, hiding among the protesters of Vlora during the days of riots. /s.sh/pas/mt/ e

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] "VEFA" COMPANY STARTS DISTRIBUTING CAPITAL INVESTMENT

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA)- The Vefa company started today, as it had announced, to make full repayment to all investors who had put up to 500 000 leks ($5, 000) in the company, thus interrupting its loan-taking activity.

    The return of capital to the investors started today, after an initial confusion created by 200 creditors waiting to get back their capital invested in the Vefa company in the office of this company.

    At about 10:00 a.m ten representatives of the company read several times on a megaphone the names of the first 300 creditors due to receive their money today.

    "From today we will make the full repayment to all investors who had put up to 500.000 leks and in foreign currency. On the coming days we will announce on the distribution of amounts above 500 000 leks. From now on the investors will get only their capital investment and none of the interest due," one of the company's representative said on the megaphone.

    The lists on the other creditors, according to him, would be published in the press and on the EuroVefa TV.

    The first creditors were seen to enter and come out of the Vefa distribution centre by midday. Some of the people have left but there are still some hundreds waiting to hear their name called.

    Vefa has begun to repay the small investors, who make up some 60 percent of 80 000 investors.

    The president of the company, Vehbi Alimucaj, has announced that this reimbursement programme will take a short time and that the big investors will be reimbursed in the end of this programme which will last about three months. /lm/p

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] ALBANIANS IN KOSOVA FAVOUR ITS INDEPENDENCE AND NOT AUTONOMY - survey in the Albanian opinion of Kosova -

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - During last week, the Journalism Study "Faik Konica" of Pristina carried out a survey in the Albanian opinion for the current situation in Kosova, reports Rilindja paper on Thursday, which publishes this survey taken by "Koha" magazine.

    The survey is conducted exclusively among Albanians in 14 cities of Kosova, including all ages and levels of education.

    85 per cent of the inquired answered negatively to the question "If the international community offers only autonomy for Kosova", that is, this solution should be not accepted, and 15 per cent think that it should be accepted.

    With regard to the answer "Which would be the best solution for Kosova", 89 per cent of the inquired favoured independence, 7 per cent favoured an independent status under the observation of UNO, and 4 per cent favoured other options.

    Asked "Will the victory of the Belgrade opposition have a positive influence in solving the Kosova issue", 22 % of the inquired answered "yes", 1 % answered that the victory of the opposition would worsen the situation and 77 % answered that their victory would not influence in the Kosova issue.

    Asked how do they consider Albania's intervention to enliven the political life, 69% of the inquired answered that they considered it very necessary to change, 21% considered it a delayed pronouncement and 10 % an intervention which would violate the political factor in Kosova. /eva/pas/mt/e

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] FROM VISIT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO GERMANY

    TIRANA, FEB 19 (ATA)-Albanian Interior Minister Halit Shamata, who is visiting Germany, met Wednesday before noon with the Interior Minister of the Land of Bavaria, Dr. Beckstein.

    According to the spokesman of the Interior Ministry, Beckstein said he had followed with attention the latest developments in Albania and highly appreciated the stand of the Albanian police, who, he said, had avoided bloodshed through their self-control.

    "Albania has become for us a trusting partner", Beckstein said, adding that Germany has many investments in Albania and will intensify them.

    "The measures taken by the Albanian government to overcome the current situation are correct," he said.

    Shamata said that in contrast with some other ex-communist countries of Eastern Europe, no state institution in Albania has been involved in the pyramid schemes. He underlined the fact that in Albania the left opposition (ex-communists), has manipulated to the extreme the despair of the citizens who have lost their savings to these pyramid schemes.

    During the meeting they discussed measures to be taken to block illegal emigrants and drug traffic. The Germans also committed themselves to provide a considerable aid in equipment for the Albanian police and in their training.

    Shamata invited the Bavarian Interior Minister for a visit to Albania, an invitation which was accepted with pleasure. a.ke/kei/lm/e

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] VEFA COMPANY AFFILIATE DISTRIBUTES CAPITALS IN KORCA

    KORCA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By Behar Fejzullai: The Vefa company affiliate in Korca started to repay capitals to its investors.

    "Since January 7, we have distributed capital deposits for 25-35 people a day, whereas beginning from today, after the decision of the company president, Mr Vehbi Alimucaj, we will continue to distribute capitals for 200 people a day," told ATA the executive director of the Vefa affiliate in Korca, Shefki Velaj.

    Mr Velaj said that capitals from 100 000-500 000 lek will be repaid to investors first, to be followed then by those up to 2 million lek. The repayment of the capital deposits will be made in Lek or foreign currency, as they have been invested. pas/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] MACEDONIAN STUDENTS AND LYCEUM PUPILS PROTEST IN SHKUP AGAINST CLASSES TO BE HELD IN ALBANIAN LANGUAGE

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - Manifestations have started for three days now in Shkup against a law which decided that classes in the faculty of pedagogy in the Macedonian capital be conducted in Albanian.

    The participants in the protest demand the abrogation of the law, resignation of the Education Minister, Sofija Todora and of the chairman of the Students association, and the approval of a new law on the University.

    The protesters, most of whom secondary school pupils, yesterday stayed for a long time in front of the parliament building of Macedonia. A number of elementary school pupils and a few students joined them. They held in hands paper boards writting "Gas room for Albanians," "Macedonian in Macedonia, Albanian in Albania," etc.

    Representatives of Albanians consider these protests as staged by Macedonian nationalistic subjects and as part of a mechanism which gives Macedonian authorities the possibility of justifying themselves for the demands of the Albanians which they have not met. pas/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT BERISHA TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - The Albanian President's press and information office today reports that in a message to the president of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, the President of Albania, Sali Berisha writes: "The death of Teng Hsiao Ping, the father and architect of the market perestroika, of the modernization and opening to the world of China, is a great loss for your great people, for China and all its friends in the world.

    On this occasion, I express to you, the friendly Chinese people and the family of the late Ten Hsiao Ping my most sincere condolences." ake/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE DAY OF DICTATORSHIP TOPPLING

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) By Eva Allushi: The branch of Albanian Democratic Party in Tirana organized Wednesday a commemorating rally on "The day of dismantling the dictatorship symbols".

    Albanian President Sali Berisha said in front of thousands of participants that "Albanians commemorate Feb 20th as the day when the tyrant and tyranny were terrified, as the day of the geatness of our national courage". /kei

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE FEB 20, THE DAY OF COLLAPSE OF THE DICTATORSHIP

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: On the "Day of the renouncing of dictatorship symbols", the Albanian Democratic Party branch held a commemorative meeting on Thursday in Tirana.

    Albanian President Sali Berisha said to thousands of participants in the meeting that "Albanians commemorate Feb 20, 1991, as the day when the tyrant and tyranny were powerfully shaken, as the day of our great national courage."kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATS COMMEMORATE FEB 20, THE DAY OF COLLAPSE OF THE DICTATORSHIP

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: On the "Day of the renouncing of dictatorship symbols", the Albanian Democratic Party branch held a commemorative meeting on Thursday in Tirana.

    Albanian President Sali Berisha said to thousands of participants in the meeting that "Albanians commemorate Feb 20, 1991, as the day when the tyrant and tyranny were powerfully shaken, as the day of our great national courage."

    Focusing on the historic importance of Feb. 20, 1991, Berisha said that "we honor the fact that a whole people, who were suffering under the communist yoke, rose on feet. We did courageously throw away on that day the symbols of the ugliest dictatorship that the postwar Europe had ever known."

    Berisha highlighted the active role of the students who went in a hunger strike and of all the citizens who challenged police violence, by toppling the dictatorship, renouncing the symbols and the great and small tyrants.

    "This day is an appeal for all the Albanians," said Berisha, "to extend and consolidate the democracy, based on tolerance and understanding as the most reliable way for the integration of Albania into Europe."

    In his address, the Democratic Party leader, Tritan Shehu qualified Feb 20, 1991 as the day when the foundations of the communist dictatorship were ruined and when monuments of communism were toppled.

    Referring to the violence and torching in some towns of Albania after the failure of pyramid schemes, Shehu said that "unfortunately, today, after six years, old reminiscences have appeared again. Profiting from the economic losses of the Albanians in the pyramid schemes, many of them, who still bear these reminiscences, are seeking to impose them on Albania through force, through destructions aiming at distancing Albania from Europe and distorting its image."

    "These left extreme forces belong to the past and have nothing in common with democracy," said Shehu. kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS WITH STUDENTS OF VLORA UNIVERSITY

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - The chairman of the Presidency of the People's Assembly, Pjeter Arbnori met Wednesday with a representation group of the students of the Vlora University. He talked with them on the critical situation in the city of Vlora and the measures adopted and still underway of the government to ease the problems caused by the failure of fraudulent pyramid schemes and the bankruptcy of the loan-taking firm Gjallica, People's Assembly spokesman reports.

    Present in the meeting also were the Higher Education Minister, Besnik Gjongecaj, the DP deputy Evis Grezda, and the chairman of the Youth Forum of the Democratic Party and deputy of the People's Assembly, Afrim Krasini.

    Arbnori congratulated the students for the civilized initiative that dialogue should precede reason and concrete acts for the reduction of the losses.

    "On the basis of this logic," said Arbnori, "Albanian Parliament did not pass some days ago the law on a state of emergency in the city of Vlora."

    The students presented a petition with its main request related to an economic character. They also informed Arbnori that if their demand was not met they would go in a hunger strike.

    "There is no government," said Arbnori, "which can repay in cash the debt that fraudulent funds and Gjallica firm owe to the investors of Vlora or others. But the Albanian government and parliament have taken and are adopting measures for a gradual compensation of these losses through adoption of concrete projects."

    "You, as the most intellectual part of the population," Arbnori said to the students, "should contribute to the lowering of tension and the beginning of a round table discussion."

    The students denounced extreme violence, torching, destruction made in the city of Vlora, which, according to them, are acts of a set group of people, and which the people of Vlora themselves have denounced with indignation.

    Gjongecaj presented to the students some of the projects of his ministry with regard to the Vlora University.

    Finally, they concluded the meeting with the suggestion that a commission of experts, creditors and government officials be set up to orientate the dialogue towards concrete acts for the improvement of the critical state. kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] SH.A. INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK OPENS IN ALBANIA

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - The Bank of Albania, on the basis of the law "On the banking system in the Republic of Albania," the law "On the Bank of Albania" and the decision 9 of the Monitoring Council of the Bank of Albania, issued Thursday to the Sh.A. International Commercial Bank a licence to function as a bank in the Republic of Albania.

    The licence is not limited in time and not transferable.

    The activity of the Sh.A. International Commercial Bank starts immediately.

    This bank is created by Malaysian investors. It will start functioning first in Tirana and later will establish its affiliates in Durres and Kavaja. ake/kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH VIOLENCE IN A RALLY TODAY

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By A Frasheri, R Floqi: About 3000 people gathered on Thursday at 14.30 in a rally held by the Forum for Democracy, consisting of left and right wing opposition political groupings, in the sports grounds Ali Demi in Tirana.

    Opening the rally, the president of the Forum for Democracy, Kurt Kola, said to protesters that "we gathered here to demand the resignation of the government." Later he added that "we ask from the government to repay the people" (referring to the savings that people lost in the pyramid schemes.)

    During all the time, the protesters demanded the resignation of the government and president Berisha, and called the participants to "made for the main square." They sang "You boys take up arms, freedom or death (a partisan song,) etc. kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS BROUGHT HOME BY GREEK POLICE AUTHORITIES

    KAKAVIJA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By Hysni Cani: Greek police authorities returned home 100 Albanian emigrants who worked in various Greek cities, through the border point between Albania and Greece, Kakavija, on Wednesday.

    According to sources of the Albanian police control centre, the number of Albanian emigrants brought home in the recent days through Kakavija amounts to 1 000.

    One of the police chiefs in Kakavija told ATA that "the emigrants brought to Albania had no permission to stay in Greece but they were not maltreated."

    Emigrants asked by ATA said that the Greek police frequently did not take interest in the permission for staying in Greece, but had returned them because they were ordered by their chiefs. Moreover, some emigrants said that they had been maltreated, although they had a permission to stay in Greece.

    In January, Greek authorities brought to Albania about 3000 emigrants as a result of a house in Athens allegedly stolen by Albanian emigrants. ake/kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH VIOLENCE IN A RALLY TODAY

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - By A Frasheri, R Floqi: About 3000 people gathered on Thursday at 14.30 in a rally held by the Forum for Democracy, consisting of left and right wing opposition political groupings, in the sports grounds Ali Demi in Tirana.

    Opening the rally, the president of the Forum for Democracy, Kurt Kola, said to protesters that "we gathered here to demand the resignation of the government." Later he added that "we ask from the government to repay the people" (referring to the savings that people lost in the pyramid schemes.)

    During all the time, the protesters demanded the resignation of the government and president Berisha, and called the participants to "made for the main square." They sang "You boys take up arms, freedom or death (a partisan song,) etc.

    "We will keep fighting until the government resigns," said the chairman of the Right Democratic Party, Petrit Kalakulla, who later demanded the release of the people arrested as responsible for the torching and destructions in some cities of Albania last month.

    The SP deputy chief, Namik Dokle, accused the Government and President Sali Berisha as those that caused the present situation, but he did not accept that his party and other allied parties had any responsibility.

    "We demand a technocrat government which will restore the legitimate rights to the people," said the other Forum leader, Daut Gumeni. All those who took the floor in the rally demanded a technocrat government but did not present any alternative how that government would return the lost money to the people.

    "Today we are divided in two squares, in the boulevard are the powerholders, here are the people, there are those who made the thefts, here are those who were stolen," said the Social Democrat Party leader, Skender Gjinushi.

    Neritan Ceka, leader of the Democratic Alliance Party and the forum leaders Fatos Lubonja, Kastriot Muco and others took the floor in the meeting.

    After it closed, a part of the organizers called "to the main square, " "to topple the government" and with the song "you boys take up arms, freedom or death" they wanted to gather and protest in some side streets round the sports ground Ali Demi which lead to the Skanderbeg Square.

    Police, which were controlling the dispersion of the people, faced with the pressure of a part of the crowd which wanted to go to the Skanderbeg Square. Individuals from the crowd hurled stones at the policemen.

    Police forces calmed down the pressure of the crowd by directing it to some side streets of Tirana.

    During clashes between the crowd of people and police and as a rsult of the stones hurled, a shop owner along the road was hurt, 5 policemen got light injuries and 4 police vehicles were damaged. At about 16.00 the crowd dispersed. kei/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] FIVE POLICEMEN INJURED AFTER THE FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY RALLY TODAY

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - During confrontation with the crowd of people on Thursday after a rally held by the Forum of Democracy in Tirana, five policemen got light injuries and four police vehicles were damaged, Albanian Interior Ministry sources say.

    The rally marked the 6th anniversary of the toppling of the symbols of democracy. Attending it were all the leaders of the left opposition parties.

    At the end of the rally, a group of 300-400 people in an effort to go towards the Skanderbeg Square, hurled stones and hard objects at the traffic and public police.

    Forces of order intervened and normalized the situation immediately.

    Seven people were sent to the police commissariat. ake/kei/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS BAVARIAN FINANCE MINISTER

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - Albanian Interior Minister Halit Shamata, who is on a tour of Germany, Thursday met with the Minister of Finances of the Land of Bavaria, Huber.

    They discussed the present situation in Albania and the German party expressed its commitment to an extension of the cooperation and intensification of investments and assistance for Albania.

    Mr Huber asked Shamata to inform the Albanian Finance minister of the approval by Germany of the project of cooperation in the fiscal field and the exchange of experts, and the protection of cadastres.

    "It is an advantage that powerful German firms such as Siemens and Benz are working in Albania because such a fact will soon encourage other prestigious German firms to invest there."

    "We," said the Minister of Bavaria, "have a constant commitment to increase cooperation with Albania, because we have considered and consider your country as a genuine and serious partner."

    Minister Shamata invited Mr Huber for a visit to Albania, which Huber accepted with pleasure. ssh/ake/kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSSES WITH STUDENTS OF VLORA PROBLEMS IN THAT CITY

    TIRANA, FEB 20 (ATA) - Albanian President Sali Berisha Thursday met with a representative group of students of Vlora University, to discuss the situation in the Vlora city after the failure of pyramid investment firms and the loan-taking firm Gjallica.

    President Berisha expressed his pleasure for meeting with the students and assured them that he was very sensitive to the problems of the citizens of Vlora.

    He asked the students to cooperate in the efforts to reduce the losses from pyramid schemes.

    Berisha highlighted the fact that the students had come to the meeting for a dialogue and stressed that "we shall not renounce dialogue."

    He asked the students to be committed to normalize the life in their city as soon as possible, by influencing in their parents and relatives.

    Speaking about the responsibility that the president, the government, the political forces as well as the individuals should bear for their acts and the investment of their savings in the pyramid schemes, Berisha said that "if we do not bear our responsibilities we shall experience dramas."

    The group of students stressed their main economic demand.

    "If the people are offered an economic solution we may accept the difficulties," said one of the students.

    They distanced themselves from any form of violence (manifested in some cases during the protests in Vlora) and hailed the decision for the removal of limited military forces that helped police forces to guard public and state institutions from Vlora. kei/xh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

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


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