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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-30

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] SERBIAN POLICE IN PRIZREN RAID ALBANIAN DEALERS
  • [02] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS PLANT EXPLOSIVE DEVICE IN WATER PIPELINE
  • [03] FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH FOREIGN OFFICIALS TO ALBANIA
  • [04] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS TURKISH AMBASSADOR, U.N. REPRESENTATIVE
  • [05] PRESS REVIEW
  • [06] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR
  • [07] DEMOCRATS EXPRESS DISBELIEF FOR THE PROGRAM OF NEW GOVERNMENT - from news conference of DP leaders
  • [08] PARLIAMENT OPENS WAY TO LAW ON TRANSPARENCY OF LOAN-TAKING
  • [09] AID OF GREEK GOVERNMENT FOR ALBANIAN POLICE
  • [10] CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION WISHES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT
  • [11] GREETING TELEGRAMS FOR ALBANIAN PRESIDENT REXHEP MEJDANI
  • [12] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENTAL DELEGATION LEAVES FOR ITALY
  • [13] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER
  • [14] PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION, SANTER, WISHES PM NANO
  • [15] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO
  • [16] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO
  • [17] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO
  • [18] "ORDER OF FLAG" PROPOSED TO BE AWARDED TO OSCE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ALBANIA, VRANITZKY
  • [19] FIVE PERSONS WANTED BY POLICE DETAINED
  • [20] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA

  • [01] SERBIAN POLICE IN PRIZREN RAID ALBANIAN DEALERS

    KUKES, JULY 30 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: Dealers from Kukes, Northeastern Albania and 15 km from the border with Kosova, who trade their goods in the city of Prizren and over 200 other dealers from Prizren, city of Kosova were raided on Tuesday noon by the Serbian police.

    Some one hundred policemen surrounded the former soccer field of the Liria team and rushed at the dealers to grab the goods.

    Eyewitnesses said to ATA that apart of being raided some dealers from Kukes have been barbarously bitten. The value of the goods taken away by the police is worth some million marks.

    These goods are usually sold in some special shops in the Prizren market, which are supplied with goods looted from dealers of Kukes and Prizren.

    Over five hundred persons from Kukes go every day to Prizren and pay a customs tax in the Serbian customs house. Looting phenomenon is usual and is often accompanied by maltreatment of dealers. ssh/kled/ak/sh/

    [02] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS PLANT EXPLOSIVE DEVICE IN WATER PIPELINE

    DURRES, JULY 30 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Unidentified persons have planted on Tuesday night an explosive device in the main water pipeline supplying Durres, Kavaja and surrounding villages with running water.

    The explosion has damages some metres of pipeline with a 700-mm diameter, which enables the water to run through from the springs of Fushe Kuqe to the above mentioned cities.

    The wrongdoers have put the explosive device in a place when the pipeline is above the soil.

    Sources of the Water Supply Enterprise in Durres said that the explosion has happened within the territory of the district of Kurbin, some 2 km away from the place where part of the same pipeline has been damaged recently by another explosion. /kled/ak/sh/

    [03] FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH FOREIGN OFFICIALS TO ALBANIA

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo held a meeting on Tuesday with the head of the OSCE observers' mission for Albania, Hans Joachim Ive.

    Milo thanked him for the special mission, for all the European institutions and their support to Albania in its most difficult days.

    "My government is ready to cooperate even in the future with these institutions to return law and order and renew the Albanian state," Milo said adding that "our main priority is the Euro Atlantic integration, thus we will make all efforts for this integration be complete and dignified."

    Milo stressed the idea that no vacuum should be created after the withdrawal of the peace keeping forces from Albania and the European countries should take concrete steps.

    The Foreign Minister Milo also had a meeting with the ambassador of Switzerland to Albania, Thomas Feler, who expressed to Milo the best wishes of the Swiss Foreign Minister Flavio Cotti and his (Feler) personal wishes for his new post.

    Milo evaluated the good relations between Albania and Switzerland and pointed out that Albania has much to learn by the Swiss perennial experience.

    The ambassador Feler pointed out that the return of law and order all-over Albania is necessary for the continuation of many Swiss projects in Albania.

    I hope, he said, that the work will start soon, despite the damages in various works.

    "We hope to return from Rome meeting with concrete plans particularly on law and order and restoration of institutions. Our government will be opened for cooperation with the opposition, giving clear messages for the international community for its political position. We should open a new era in the Albanian policy," the minister Milo said. kled/ak/sh/

    [04] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS TURKISH AMBASSADOR, U.N. REPRESENTATIVE

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano had a special meeting on Tuesday with the ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Tirana Ahmet Akcun who conveyed to Nano a greeting message by the Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Jilmaz.

    Jilmas expressed his personal and government sincere greetings for the success achieved in the elections of June 29.

    Facing recent concerns, the Albanian people chose the road of dialogue and reconciliation showing that they have the appropriate democratic maturity, the Turkish prime minister said in his message. He expressed his conviction that the Albanian-Turkish relations will be raised to a higher level in the interest of the people and cooperation in the regional and international arena.

    Nano said to Jilmaz that even in the government program, approved on Tuesday, the relations with Turkey have a special place. We aim at creating a realist philosophy to have a real partnership based on ancient friendly tradition.

    The meeting focused on Albanian-Turkish relationships and possibilities to promote them in a mutual and regional interest.

    The Prime Minister Nano also held a meeting with a U.N. coordinator and UNICEF representative in Albania, Gianfranco Rotigliano.

    Nano stressed the importance the new democratic government attached to a cooperation with the United Nations and all other international organisations.

    He appreciated the U.N. immediate commitment to help Albania overcome the crisis and wished it continues in the interest of Albania's reconstruction in all aspects.

    Nano underlined the fact that the Albanian government is ready to start cooperation not only with the outstanding programs but also with new initiatives.

    The U.N. coordinator in Albania underlined the good will of the new government to avoid chaotism in the development of the Albanian civil society, the fact that the institutional reforms represent the pillars of the government program and particularly the need to renounce the previous slogan "we govern and the world helps us," replacing it with the logic of partnership and work. kled/ak/sh/

    [05] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - Today's press reports on the introduction of government program in parliament and the vote of confidence to the new government. It also reports on the killing of a 26-year-old journalist of Gazeta Shqiptare, Ali Ukaj.

    Zeri i Popullit under the headline "Parliament gives vote of confidence to the program and new government" carries the article "Nano, prime minister in the 4th anniversary of his imprisonment." "We invite you to build and guarantee all together our European future, in conformity with our national dignity," the paper quotes Prime minister Nano as saying.

    "Ali Ukaj, journalist of Gazeta Shqiptare found massacred," the paper says in the fifth page. "His tragic death remains a mystery. Police have not concluded its official variant," the paper adds.

    "Socialist government of the kalashnikovs' parliament declared its prior goal in the first day of the confidential vote, that of destroying the opposition and organising repressions in the North of Albania," the paper Rilindja Demokratike reports under the title "Ceka, butcher of the opposition."

    Under the headline "Nano gained a one hundred percent vote of confidence from the government parties," the paper carries the article "Opposition: Nano's program is only propaganda." The paper reports on the death of the journalist Ali Ukaj and carries the statements of the Associations of Journalists and the Democratic party on his death.

    "Nano government gained vote of confidence from parliamentarians with 114 votes pro and three abstains," says the editorial of the newspaper Republika entitled "Government which gained confidential vote flies to Rome." "Laws and administration forms should be changed," the paper quotes Republican leader Sabri Godo as saying. "Two ministers of Nano rebelled," the paper says.

    In the second page, the paper reports on the killing of journalist. "This is the Uka enigma," the paper says carrying the article "Homage which I do never want to write." "Confidence for the program of Nano's government," the paper Rilindja says. "Deputies approved the program presented by the prime minister despite some remarks that according to them do not damage the democratic essence of the program," the paper says. "Mysterious murder of Ali Ukaj," the paper says on the killing of the journalist.

    "Ceka: Attack on North," the paper Albania says under the headline "Nano leaves for Rome today. He carries a project to grab Albanians' money." Newly appointed government of the Socialist leader Fatos Nano has prepared a pseudo legal base to serve the burying of 2 hundred thousand savings of Albanians." The paper says under the title "How will the Albanians' money disappear." "Tragic death of Ukaj," the paper says in the second page.

    "Surrounded government" it is the title of the editorial Koha Jone. "Nano government which gained vote of confidence in the parliament, is under curfew," the editorial says. In the second page, the paper reports on the murder of the journalist Ukaj. "A house massacre, journalist Ukaj killed," the paper says. "Ali Ukaj, 26-years old, the first victim of journalism. He would have left Albania on August 5," the paper says. The paper carries the statement of the Association of Professional Journalists and the Albanian League of Journalists.

    Under the headline "Nano government after vote of confidence and correct criticism of the right-wing flies to gain the Western vote of confidence," the paper Dita carries the article "Nano government, the third and the real one."

    Mystery on the murder after a call in police department," the paper says under the title "Journalist Ali Ukaj found dead." "Main journalist association protest," the paper says.

    "He was one of the first journalists who sent a reportage from his home. Two weeks in illegality in Kosova" the paper Gazeta Shqiptare says adding that he is and will remain one of the examples of the new Albanian journalism. "Darkness on the murder of colleague," the paper says. "The loss of the journalist - alarm against the crime" is an editorial of the newspaper. "Nano government gains vote of confidence," the paper says. "Yesterday in parliament, government passes exam," the paper says in the second page. kled/ak/k

    [06] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, met Wednesday with the Ambassador of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Albania, Nikola Todorcaveski, who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, accredited in Tirana, Press and Information Office in the Foreign Ministry reports.

    Ambassador Todorcevski conveyed to Minister Milo the wishes of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the desire of the countries they represent for development and enlarging of the relations. Todorcevski conveyed the message of greetings from the Macedonian Foreign Minister, Haxhinski, also expressing the will of the Macedonian government for bilateral cooperation.

    Milo said that the new Albanian Government is engaged for an open policy, and for cooperation with the neighbouring countries.

    In the program of the new Albanian government, stressed Milo further on, it is clearly expressed the will for good relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. But we wish the Albanians in this republic be considered with more confidence for a coexistence with the Macedonian people, he continued. The Albanians merit more respect and rights, said the Albanian Foreign Minister, as well as more representation and space in the administration and links and the Macedonian state.

    Milo expressed the regret of the Albanian party for the recent incidents, but appreciated as positive the return of investigations from the Macedonian Government regarding this question, so that such acts be not repeated anymore in the future.

    Minister Milo stressed once again that the Albanian Government has the good will to overcome the existing problems through negotiations and dialogue, ends the report of press and information department of this ministry. /kled/mt/k

    [07] DEMOCRATS EXPRESS DISBELIEF FOR THE PROGRAM OF NEW GOVERNMENT - from news conference of DP leaders

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Program "neither realistic nor applicable," was considered the program of the government of the center and left center coalition by the DP leaders on Wednesday.

    The stands of DP as an opposition party and the analysis of the Nano government, were in the focus of the news conference held by this party in the grounds of the Palace of Congresses.

    "Unqualified and with regional narrowness", considered DP Secretary General, Genc Pollo, the new cabinet of the government.

    In the newly established government five parties participate: SP, SDP, DAP, HRUP and AP.

    Pollo considered the program of Nano for the restoration of the public order "promises without facts," because according to him, "the means to be used and the deadlines when the stability will be restored are not shown." While the disarming of the population is considered by DP, for the moment, "precipitated action" and proposes the registration of weapons.

    In the program of the government, the restoration of order is considered as "prior duty" of the government, which will focus its work in the restructuring of the order bodies.

    Pollo considered the program of the government with regard to the foreign policy to be followed by the Albanian state in the next four years, "continuation of the old policies of SP," saying that "the national questionhas been ignored there (in the program)."

    In the program it is also stressed that the problem of the Kosova Albanians is question of priority which needs the application of a common policy of the pan-national dimensions.

    With regard to the operation of the transparence of loan-taking and compensation of the money lost in pyramid schemes, the DP leaders "hope that Premier Nano will keep the promises and it is his duty to find the sources of money." /kei/mt/k

    [08] PARLIAMENT OPENS WAY TO LAW ON TRANSPARENCY OF LOAN-TAKING

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: The People's Assembly approved in the plenary session on Wednesday morning the law "On some amendments in the law 'On the financial control of the juridical non-banking persons who lent money from the public.'"

    The law was approved with 88 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention and enters into force today.

    The crisis of the pyramid firms was one of the main causes of the monthly riots throughout the country, but most severe in the South, which led to the ousting of democrats and former President Berisha from the government.

    The new law approved today contains several amendments of the previous law, approved on May 10, this year.

    A fundamental amendment which is included in the new law is the invalidation of the paragraph of article 7 of the previous law, according to which "the Minister of Finances, in cooperation with the group of experts, controls the fraudulence activity of the collapsed pyramid schemes and reports in the People's Assembly within three weeks from the date this law entered into force".

    This amendment is expressed in the request of a group made up of 16 deputies, who presented the amendment and "is also in accordance with the request of two international financial organizations, International Monetary Fund and World Bank."

    In the same sitting, two new deputies from the socialist majority, Shkelqim Cani and Niko Pandeli took oath of office. The later replaced Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, after his election in the high post of the Head of the State. /kei/mt/k

    [09] AID OF GREEK GOVERNMENT FOR ALBANIAN POLICE

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The last part of the aid that the Greek government offered for the Albanian police arrives Thursday in the port of Durres. This aid includes a number of patrolling vehicles, motorcycles, bulletproof jackets, clothes and others, Greek Embassy in Tirana reports through a press release.

    This aid, which is destined for the police forces of Tirana and Vlore, comes rights after that offered recently for the police of Korce and Gjirokaster. /kei/mt/k

    [10] CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION WISHES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Chairman of the European Commission, Jacque Santer, wished through a telegram the Albanian President, Rexhep Mejdani, even on behalf of the European Commission for the last developments in Albania and for his election as President.

    "I am convinced, Mr President, that you will give your personal contribution, necessary for the very important question of the national reconciliation, which has already started," the telegram reads. /kei/mt/k

    [11] GREETING TELEGRAMS FOR ALBANIAN PRESIDENT REXHEP MEJDANI

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian President, Rexhep Mejdani, has received many wishing telegrams for His election to the high post of the head of the state and the desire to enlarge the bilateral relations from the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Xhabir Ahmad Al-Sabah, President of Syria, Hafiz Al-Asad President of Argentina, Carlos Saul Menem and the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Akbar Hashemi Hafsanxhani.

    Mejdani has also received messages of greetings from the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, as well as from different leaders of Albanian parties and associations. /kei/mt/k

    [12] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENTAL DELEGATION LEAVES FOR ITALY

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - An Albanian delegation, headed by the Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, left on Wednesday noon for Italy to participate in the international conference for Albania, to be held on Thursday in Rome.

    The delegation is also made up of the deputy Premier, Bashkim Fino, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, Minister of Defence Sabit Brokaj, Minister of Finances Arben Malaj, Minister of State near the Prime Minister, Kastriot Islami and the Minister of Justice, Thimio Kondi.

    "It is a very important visit for the beginning of work of the new government, for the reconstruction of work in Albania and cooperation with the European community, which through official Rome, that has become the center of the international partnership for Albania, to enable the definition of the priorities and technic institutional programs, so that the program of the new government starts immediately with the same programs and round tables with the international partners," PM Fatos Nano told ATA.

    The visit to Italy has two phases: the bilateral meetings Prodi-Nano and counterpart ministers, as well as the Conference of Rome which prepares the Conference of donors, to be held in Rome after two months. /kei/mt/k

    [13] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The chairman of the Presidency of the People's Assembly, Skender Gjinushi, and the deputy chairman, Namik Dokle, met Wednesday with the Ambassador of Switzerland in Tirana, Tomas Feller, Parliament's spokesman reports.

    The Swiss ambassador expressed the delight that the difficult moments for the situation of the country should be overcome.

    Speaker Gjinushi familiarized Feller with the main directions of the current work of the People's Assembly and steps to be undertaken, so that the Parliament contributes in the elimination of the legislative vacuum in the country and the reconstruction of the institutions of the rule of law.

    Gjinushi also met with the Turkish Ambassador in Tirana, Mr Ahmet Okcun, and the representative of Kosova in Tirana, Iliaz Ramajli.

    The friendship between Albania and Turkey, said Okcun, is constant despite the change of the government and political parties in the respective countries.

    Speaker Gjinushi stressed that with regard to the foreign policy of Albania, it is useful to keep stable lines in the integrating relations and one of these stable lines is that of the very good relations between Turkey and Albania.

    In the meeting with Mr Ramajli, Gjinushi assured him for the readiness of the Albanian government to support the best option in the realization of the Kosova question.

    Rmajli expressed the will for a concrete cooperation, aiming to coordinate the actions between Albania and Kosova. /s.sh/kei/mt/

    [14] PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION, SANTER, WISHES PM NANO

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian Prime Minister received on Wednesday a message of greetings from the President of the European Commission, Jacque Santer, on the occasion of his election to the post of the Prime Minister of Albania, PM's spokesman reports.

    President Santer reaffirmed that the "European Commission I represent will support you in the realization of your high mission."

    Prime Minister Fatos Nano also received today a message of greetings from the Chairman of the Council of the State of the China Republic. /s.sh/kei/mt/

    [15] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO

    TIRANE, JULY 30 (ATA) - (Continues)

    Regarding the economic policy of the new Government, Prime Minister of Albania, Fatos Nano said that referring to the data beginning from 1993, the GDP has had a fall in its growth rates from 9.6 per cent in 1993 to 8.3 per cent a year later and 9.1 per cent in 1996.

    "Due to the damages caused in 1997 the GDP is not only forecast not to increase as against 1996 but there will be a further reduction of it to 7 per cent. Hence the objective of the Government for this year is to keep the GDP from further reduction," said Nano.

    As concerns the budgetary deficit, said PM Nano, speaking in absolute figures it is envisaged to be about 44 billion lek (financed by internal sources.)

    He explained that for a period until the end of 1998, the priorities of the investments with budgetary funds will be limited, concentrating on the local costs and the improvement of the indispensable infrastructure, whereas the investments by foreign sources will continue to be dominant in capital expenditures.

    "Inflation was influenced by the increase of the budgetary deficit of 1996 and the current year as well. Inflation in the six-month period, January-June 1997 has been about 29 per cent. The level of inflation until the end of the year is envisaged to be 45-50 per cent. Nevertheless, its tendency will depend on the inclination of the budgetary deficit and the exchange rate. With the best scenario for this year, inflation will be limited to 45 per cent," said PM Nano, who stressed that the main immediate objective of the economic program of the Government is the resumption of economic activities so that the economic recovery and growth be realised.

    "This will demand the restitution of the macro-economic stability, restructuring and development of an efficient financial sector and the drawing of foreign financing and assistance for the realisation of a broad investment program. To this end, a number of short-term and mid-term measures have been planned," says the program of the Nano-led Government.

    Among the short-term measures, the program envisages the normal functioning of all the administration of taxes, especially of all the customs houses by granting for this purpose all immediate necessary investments.

    "Reduction to a minimum of the fiscal evasion will be a factor which will lead to the lowering of the customs taxes," said Nano.

    With regard to the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes, Nano said that the government has ready the legislation for their administration and the control of these companies which has also been realised with the assistance of the IMF and the World Bank, and as soon as the law is approved legal administrators, who will be representatives of the most renowned companies in the field of management and control, will be appointed. This, said Nano, will aim at finding and changing the possible liquidities to give back to creditors every monetary source which these companies may have themselves and in the bank at first in the country and then in other countries.

    (to be continued)

    [16] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO

    TIRANE, JULY 30 (ATA) - (Continues) Nano said that the Government will be totally committed to return the money to c reditors on the basis of modalities approved through legal acts.

    The program of the new Government envisages the increase of the incomes in the budget through the restructuring of the main ministries which cover these activities and at the same time through the application of contemporary ways of managing of the sectors of the public ownership.

    "In the field of budgetary expenditure the Government will try to establish a strict financial discipline aiming at increasing at any cost the efficiency of expenditures. It will also intensify financial control on public institutions and especially in entrepreneurship which are state property, such as Albpetrol, Telecom, KESH (Albanian Energy Corporation) etc., with the aim of limiting the inflation pressure and fighting manifestations of corruption in the public administration," said Mr Nano. He added that priority in the use of the capital expenditure for the rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure during the crisis will be given to social-educational objects.

    With regard to the taxation policy, Nano said that the Government will be resolutely abided by the way of taxing through proportional taxes, discrimination of private physical and judicial subjects, local or foreign, will not be allowed, the average level of the tariffs of the income tax from the productive and trade activity will be reduced to the amount of 10-15 per cent as compared with the existing level.

    He explained that regarding the Value-Added Tax, on the basis of the emergent conditions of the situation, during the first stage differentiated tariffs of levies will be applied and in a second stage the tariff will be unique according to the conditions of the country and its financial needs.

    "The government will base it levies policy on the rate of the extension of the taxed basis and the intensification of the efforts for a correct and exact discovery of the taxed incomes, conformed to the law in force," says the program of the new government. Regarding the customs policy, the program envisages the application of seasonal customs taxes, etc.

    "In the field of monetary and crediting policy, and conformed to the World Bank, IMF and BERD recommendations, the government will apply a restrictive policy, by valuing the situation of the budgetary deficit, the norm of inflation and the need of stimulating the industrial and agricultural production or the reduction of unemployment, which has become a sharp, worrying social-economic problem," said PM Nano. He added that respecting the relative independence of the banks, the government will back up and encourage the efforts for the increase of national savings, as an inner source for the growth of private and public investments.

    [17] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO

    With regard to the second level state banks including the Agrarian Trade Bank, the National Trade Bank and the Savings Bank, with their judicial state as trade companies, according to the government program, they must undergo the process of privatization with the full assistance by the World Bank and the IMF.

    "In all its activity, the Government aims at increasing the cooperation with international organizations such as IMF, World Bank, European Union etc. The program of the economic recovery demands a rather concrete cooperation with these organizations which are the greatest donators for the developing programs. Certainly, these organizations have set their conditions to assist Albania, among which would be the full resolution to the problem of the pyramid schemes, the control on the budgetary deficit and inflation, improvements in the legislative framework, etc. These conditions are completely realisable and this demands a good political will by all of us, devotion by the public administration, transparence by the Government and support by the population. Our efforts to have a full support of these institutions will be finalized after a three-year agreement is reached with the IMF which will be the pillar of support and of the measures to rehabilitate the economy for the coming years.

    Of great importance are for us the relations with the European Union as one of the biggest donators over this period. Regarding the World Bank we have started the work for the restructuring of the present projects aiming at the emergency and the most indispensable infrastructure," said PM Nano.

    By criticizing the DP, Nano said that the policies of the 5-year governing of the Democratic Party have further impoverished the Albanian population and in the name of privatization and the creation of the free market economy, a high unemployment has been registered in the town and countryside. He said that the Albanian economy may be recovered and developed rapidly through the new active policies for the employment, self-employment and professional training.

    "The active policies of the Government for the employment will aim at a broader employment for all the able-bodied population and those who want to work, a productive and freely selected employment, ensurance of the support through incomes for all those who are temporarily unemployed by guaranteeing the payment for the unemployed which will be granted not passively but after various public jobs are carried out," said Nano. He underlined that over its four-year mandate, the new democratic government will make possible the creation of over 200 thousand jobs and to this end, the functions of the National Labour Council will be redimensioned.

    Concerning the state policy on salaries, Nano said that a review of the payment system is indispensable, with the aim of attracting the professionally skilled people in the public administration and respecting the hierarchy.

    While compiling the social insurance policy, the objective of the government is to create and apply full and computerized schemes which would bring to evidence all the moments which have to do with the accumulation of the contributions and their distribution in favour of those who must profit from them. Also it is high time to aim at extending the scheme of voluntary insurance and the creation of private institutes of pensions.

    "At present the farmers appear to be insured, because the Government is contributing to cover the countryside existing pensions, but while this contribution covers only 160 000 farmers, the present number of farmers who must contribute is 578 000. Taking into account these, the government will adopt the necesssary political decisions regarding the proper improvements of the scheme of the pensions in countryside," says the program. It points out a the continuous economic aid for the poor families in the countryside and in towns, state social care for third ages, for orphans, for disabled people and others.

    "The formerly politically persecuted will be considered as the stratum of the population that continues to need support from the state for their integration in life. They will be supported through programs for the compennsation for the work they have made while in prison, for the participation with priority in privatization and for their free of charge accomodation in homes," said PM Nano.

    With regard to privatization, the Government program envisages an orientation and acceleration of this process according to a mid-term strategy of privatization which the government will present to the People's Assembly for approval.

    The strategy of privatization will have several objectives:

    Compilation of sectorial policies for the administration and privatization of the public ownership of all economic sectors by attaching priority to sectors of special importance for the national economy;

    Ensurance of the value of the market of the enterprises which are privatized on the basis of an efficient marketing;

    Selection of proper techniques of privatization taking into account the objectives of privatization and the characteristics of the enterprises which will be privatized;

    Determination of the rules, instructions and standard procedures for the selection of the would-be privatized enterprises.

    Prime Minister Nano said that establishment of monitoring procedures for the post-privatization stage will be made by creating a rehabilitating climate and a supporting mechanism for the privatized enterprises, including here the small and medium enterprises.

    - to be continue -

    [18] "ORDER OF FLAG" PROPOSED TO BE AWARDED TO OSCE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ALBANIA, VRANITZKY

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - Through an official letter, dated July 30, 1997, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano, also with the suggestion of the former Premier of the National Reconciliation Government, Bashkim Fino, has proposed to the Albanian President, Prof. Dr. Rexhep Mejdani, to honor the special envoy of OSCE in Albanian, former Austrian chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, with the Order of Flag.

    The award of this Order, reports the PM's spokesman, will be another expression of the respect and sincere appreciation for the contribution that Vranitzky has give and continue to give in the solution of the Albanian crisis and general restoration of Albania. /kled/mt/k

    [19] FIVE PERSONS WANTED BY POLICE DETAINED

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The police forces of the commissariat of Permet district detained recently five persons wanted by police, accused of killing a police lieutenant officer, as well as of several robberies by fire weapons, Interior Ministry spokesman reports.

    The persons who were detained are: Dritan Hyseni from Vlore, Admir Turdiu from Permet, Bledar Lumani from Vlore, Leonard Lumani, inhabitant in Permet and Shkelqim Zajmi, inhabitant in Vlore. /kei/mt/k

    [20] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, JULY 30 (ATA) - The Albanian President, Rexhep Mejdani, met Wednesday with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in Albania, Mr Nikola Todorcevski, President's press and information office reports.

    The Ambassador expressed the wish of the Diplomatic Corps members to set up direct contacts with the new authorities of the country, to secure that Albania will not lack the aid of the foreign factor in these difficult moments.

    Later on, Todorcevski conveyed to Mejdani the greetings of President Gligorov and the will that the contacts between both countries contribute to strengthen the bilateral relations.

    He pointed out that his state considers the relations between the communities within the climate of cooperation and institutional dialogue, and expressed the regret for the recent tragic events in his country.

    "The dialogue, continued Todorcevski, is the best way to solve the problems."

    President Mejdani transmitted to Todorcevski the readiness of the leading structures of the country to cooperate and profit from the foreign assistance in the way of the restoration of the country.

    Mejdani appreciated the dialogue as the only way for the replacement of the conflicts with the dialogue and understanding.

    "This, said Mejdani, serves to every country, to the bilateral relations, regional stabilization to move towards the European integration." /kei/mt/k


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