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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-24

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] ALBANIAN AND YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE TO AGENDA OF TALKS
  • [02] PRESS REVIEW
  • [03] ANOTHER 74 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNED FROM ITALY
  • [04] AN ALBANIAN MINISTERIAL DELEGATION VISITS VATICAN AND ITALY
  • [05] APPEAL COURT TO BE DECENTRALIZED
  • [06] A BULGARIAN SHIP RAN AGROUND IN VELIPOJE
  • [07] PUBLIC WORK MINISTER REPLIES TO DAMAGES IN VERDANT ENVIRONMENTS
  • [08] THE ACCUSED FOR GENOCIDE TO BE TRIED FOR ABUSE OF OFFICE
  • [09] PRESIDENT GREETS READINESS OF NEIGHBOURS TOWARDS REFUGEES' STATUS
  • [10] ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA TO CONTINUE DIALOGUE - minister
  • [11] DIALOGUE TO CONTINUE BETWEEN ALBANIA AND ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA - minister
  • [12] 30 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ALBANIAN ENERGY CORPORATION
  • [13] TURKEY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA IN THE MILITARY FIELD
  • [14] LEK EXCHANGE RATE RECORDING STRONG OSCILLATIONS
  • [15] Contest VEFA-State delays transparency process
  • [16] REPRESENTATIVES OF U.S. HELSINKI COMMITTEE VISIT VLORE
  • [17] ROME CONFERENCE ON ALBANIA TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 17, 1997

  • [01] ALBANIAN AND YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE TO AGENDA OF TALKS

    TIRANE, SEPT. 24 (ATA)- Paskal Milo, Albanian Foreign Minister and Milan Milutinovic, Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), have agreed to prepare an agenda of talks to sign several agreements of mutual benefit.

    The two said at the meeting held in the U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday that the agreements will deal with international trade, transport, encouragement and protection of investment, lifting of double taxation and other issues.

    They stressed the necessity of normalising and developing mutual relations and pointed to their effect on the process of easing tensions and of understanding and cooperation in the Balkans.

    At the Albanian party request, the Yugoslav party agreed to contribute concretely to the full operation of the border crossing points of Hani i Hotit and Qafe Morine, as well as to begin the procedure of opening new border crossing points at Muriqan and Vermosh.

    Milo expressed concern over the grave situation of the Kosova Albanians and asked for the Yugoslav party to respect their legitimate rights.

    Milo also demanded as a first concrete step and as a message of good will the implementation of the education agreement signed between President Milosevic and President Rugova.

    Milutinovic showed understanding to this request. Milo accepted the Yugoslav proposal to continue negotiations, but on condition that several issued discussed at this meeting be materialised preliminarily. a.ke/kei/lm

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANE, SEPT. 24 (ATA)-Today's Zeri i Popullit says that "Prime Minister Nano ends contacts with international financial institutions," under the title: "Agreements ready for signature".

    The paper covers the news conference of the government coalition parties under the title: "New spirit of cooperation in local administration".

    It covers the speech of Albanian PM at the IMF and World Bank Annual meeting in Hong Kong under the title:"Albania towards economic growth". "The World Bank of Investment released all $ 70 million worth of projects" the paper says under the title: "Projects of the West released".

    "DP suffers from complex of lack of heroes" the paper says under the title:"Adventurism is not long lasting".

    "Fatos Nano, Prime Minister of gangs and crime, is looking for an international passport all over the world for his terrorist government, at a time when the blood of Azem Hajdari has not yet dried", says Rilindja Demokratike in its editorial entitled: "Nano in search of passport for the government of crime".

    "The CE Parliamentary Assembly today expected to adopt resolution which tries the Socialist government of Fatos Nano," the paper says.

    "For the first time Albanians heard from the mouth of a left wing leader in power yesterday that evil might come to Albania from nationalism", the paper says under the title:"Majko: Albania does not need nationalism".

    "The sixth day of protests in Tirana", says the paper under the title:"The capital against parliament of Mazrekus". "The PM says in Hong Kong what he cannot say in Tirane," the paper says under the title:"Fatos Nano: VEFA should be destroyed".

    Republika entitles its editorial: "Nano's successes and faults in Hong Kong". "Nano was wrong to blame the Albanian Rights Wing for destabilisation in Hong Kong," the editorial says.

    "VEFA is a pyramid scheme. Its collapse will be followed by other firms", the paper says under the title: "Nano kicks minister Malaj out of the game".

    "Berisha sentenced to one year imprisonment" is another article run by the paper. "Charge against the responsible for genocide drops".

    Under the headline "A striking statement of the Albanian government head from Hong Kong, alarm in Tirana," the newspaper Koha Jone quotes prime minister Fatos Nano as saying "Vefa's activity is coming to an end." The paper carries the editorial "Salvation 'Blue brigades'". Covering a press conference of the Secretaries General of the parties in the government coalition, the paper quotes Pandeli Majko of the SP as saying "Berisha, terror anti SP." Related to the meeting of the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo with the Yugoslav counterpart Milutinovic in the UN headquarters, the paper says "Tirana-Belgrade, ice begins to melt."

    Covering the Fall session of the European parliamentary Assembly, Rilindja says "Albania's situation to be considered today." The paper says that ethnic Albanians in Montenegro have urged establishing of relations with Albania.

    Albania carries the editorial "Tirana risks to return the danger of Balkan war," and reports "Majko summoned to the Prosecutor's office." Under the headline "Albanian former Communists blocked in Strasbourg," the paper says "Albania risks to be ousted from the European Council." In the chronicle column, the paper reports that two people have been killed and five others wounded within the last 24 hours.

    Dita quotes prime minister Fatos Nano as saying in Hong Kong "Vehbi (Alimuca, president of VEFA Holding) cheats Albanians." The paper says "Berisha in files of the prosecutor's office."

    Gazeta Shqiptare quotes Nano as saying in Hong Kong that VEFA is a pyramid scheme, while VEFA president is quoted as saying "You do not know us". The paper carries the editorial "VEFA's creditors in cross-road: What about the money". The paper says that the Council of Europe opposes boycott of parliament from the Democratic party. kled/kei/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] ANOTHER 74 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNED FROM ITALY

    DURRES, SEPT. 24 (ATA)-By S.Gjordeni, Another 74 Albanian refugees were returned to Durres port from Italy on Wednesday afternoon.

    Sources of the port's border police report that the repatriated have been transported from the ports of Brindisi and Bari on the Espresso Venezia and San Savino ferries of the "Adriatica" association and on the Iliria ferry.

    So far the number of the Albanian refugees caught by the Italian police without documents and returned to the Durres port, reaches 2 300. None of the deported has resulted to be a person wanted by the Albanian police.

    In the meantime, the repatriated arriving at Durres port over the last 15 days has amounted to 300. s.sh/pas/lm

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] AN ALBANIAN MINISTERIAL DELEGATION VISITS VATICAN AND ITALY

    TIRANA, SEPT. 23 (ATA) - Three Albanian ministers of Education, Health and Culture Et'hem Ruka, Leonard Solis and Arta Dade respectively paid a few- day visit to Vatican and Italy recently.

    In Vatican, the Albanian delegation met the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference Enio Antonieli, Secretary of State for Health Giovani Batista Re, Foreign Secretary Jean Louis Touran and Cardinal for Catholic Education Diolagi.

    In a meeting with the secretary of the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, they said that the Albanian government is aware of all the cooperation projects existing so far and favours the promotion of multifaceted relations with Italy.

    Major coordinator of the Italian aid Mr. Surdo assured the Albanian side that a new fund for physical rehabilitation of Albanian schools will be released soon.

    The Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference Antonieli proposed the opening of an Italian university in Albania.

    The Albanian delegation also had meetings in the Italian Ministry of Health. jz/ak/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] APPEAL COURT TO BE DECENTRALIZED

    TIRANE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - By Arban Hasani: Albanian Parliament approved today the law on some amendments to the law "On organization of Judiciary," connected with the decentralization of the judging in the appeal court.

    The Minister of Justice, Thimio Kondi, said that the hitherto centralization of the Appeal Court has been politically motivated and has seriously damaged the independence of judiciaries.

    "The Appeal courts function in zones determined by the President upon proposal of the Minister of Justice," says the new law, which was supported by the chairman of the Law Commissions, socialist deputy Fehmi Abdiu. Mr Abdiu declared that since the beginning, the former opposition has been for the decentralization of the appeal courts.

    The deputy of the "Movement of Legality" Party, Spartak Ngjela expressed the concern that the decentralization might be used for fresh political purging.

    The law was approved by all the deputies present in the hall except the deputy of the Balli Kombetar Party, Hysen Selfo, who voted against. jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] A BULGARIAN SHIP RAN AGROUND IN VELIPOJE

    LEZHE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - By Z Pergega: Border guards of Shengjin (Western Albania) recovered Wednesday at about 10.30 a.m. a Bulgarian ship, which had run aground 12 miles from the port of Shengjin. The ship is suspected to be involved in cigarette smuggling.

    Sources of police of Lezhe confirmed that the Bulgarian transport ship, with a capacity of 800 tons, had sailed during the night of Tuesday in the Albanian territorial waters without warning first the authorities of the port of Shengjin (according to international laws.

    Marine specialists denied the fact that the Bulgarian ship, MV Star- Key, had gone aground because of bad weather, loss of the navigation course or any failure in engines, for which there have been no signals given by the ship captain, but for secret manoeuvres at night.

    Police are working intensively to clear up the reasons of this act by the ship. ake/jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] PUBLIC WORK MINISTER REPLIES TO DAMAGES IN VERDANT ENVIRONMENTS

    TIRANA, SEPT. 24 (ATA) - By Arban Hasani: Parliament began on Wednesday with a plenary session on damages caused to the green areas.

    Minister of Public Work Gaqo Apostoli replied to the questions of deputies on damages to verdant environment.

    Socialist deputy Leke Gjiknuri, speaking on behalf of the group of deputy, said that from 11 green gardens existed in Tirana in 1990, today there is none.

    Apostoli said that in 1990 there were some 9 million square meters equal to 9 square meters per capita in Albania.

    Today, every citizen is estimated to have 4.3 to 4.6 square metres. He said that 58 percent of the verdant environment of the capital has been damaged during the last five years.

    Some 12,500 illegal constructions have been recorded during 1996 while from January to July this year 7,500 buildings have been constructed without permission, the minister said.

    Apostoli focused on the cities' adjustment plans, which, according to him, have not existed for more than ten years. jz/ak/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] THE ACCUSED FOR GENOCIDE TO BE TRIED FOR ABUSE OF OFFICE

    TIRANE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - By Manjola Hodo: The trial for some former high officials of the Interior Ministry and the former Political Bureau of the Party of Labour, was held in the Supreme Court today.

    The Prosecutor of the General Attorney's Office, Dashnor Sula asked the changing of the charge for seven defendants being tried in absentia. He admitted that the decisions of the district and appeal courts are groundless because nobody can be punished for a penal act which, with the laws when the act was carried out, it was not considered as such.

    "The process is political and I demand the immediate release of my client," said the defence attorney of Lenka Cuko (former Politburo member) who went to the prison voluntarily after prisons were stormed in March this year.

    The Supreme Court will hold its decision on Monday for all the defendants of the case. jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] PRESIDENT GREETS READINESS OF NEIGHBOURS TOWARDS REFUGEES' STATUS

    TIRANA, SEPT. 24 (ATA) - Albanian president Rexhep Meidani had a meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of the "Atdheu" association representing the rights of Albanian emigrants and refugees.

    President Meidani greeted the readiness of the authorities of the neighbouring countries that together with the Albanian ones can find the most acceptable ways for a solution to a status and present situation of the Albanians in Italy and Greece.

    He said that the work of the Albanians themselves is a contribution which facilitates the solution to this problem.

    President Meidani had a meeting with Vahid Farmand, Charge d'Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Albania.

    President of the Republic Meidani praised the work of the foundation and assistance of the Iranian government in health and agriculture. ake/jz/ak/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA TO CONTINUE DIALOGUE - minister

    TIRANA, SEPT. 24 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and his Macedonian counterpart Blagoi Handziski agreed in a meeting on Wednesday in the UN premises on holding expert negotiations to finalise bilateral agreements of economic character and on free movement of citizens.

    Milo asked his Macedonian counterpart for the Bllata border point be reopened and the Albanian citizens should not be shot while illegally pass the border.

    He expressed the concern of the Albanian government on the situation and problems facing the Albanian population in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    "The best way to tackle present problems is to start and continue dialogue with all Albanian political forces in FYROM." Milo said. ake/jz/akZ//

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] DIALOGUE TO CONTINUE BETWEEN ALBANIA AND ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA - minister

    TIRANA, SEPT. 24 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and his Macedonian counterpart Blagoi Handziski agreed in a meeting on Wednesday in the UN premises on holding expert negotiations to finalise bilateral agreements of economic character and on free movement of citizens.

    Milo asked his Macedonian counterpart for the Bllata border point be reopened and the Albanian citizens should not be shot while illegally pass the border.

    He expressed the concern of the Albanian government on the situation and problems facing the Albanian population in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    "The best way to tackle present problems is to start and continue dialogue with all Albanian political forces in FYROM." Milo said. ake/jz/ak/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] 30 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ALBANIAN ENERGY CORPORATION

    TIRANE, SEPT 24 (ATA) - By N Mano: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reported today of the credit for the Albanian Energy Corporation (AEC) which was unblocked, thus confirming that it will not have any postponement, the director of AEC, Genc Gjergjani told ATA.

    There is a nearly 30 million dollar credit from this bank for two big projects of AEC: that for the energy transmission and distribution for which 10 million ECU are needed and the other rehabilitation of the hydro power stations on River Drin for which 23.7 million DM are allocated.

    The decision of EBRD follows a plan by foreign banks and donors for these projects, which demands from the Albanian Government and the Energy Corporation to adopt measures to ensure a normal continuous work for the realisation of the projects in the field of energy. jz/xh/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] TURKEY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA IN THE MILITARY FIELD

    TIRANE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Turkey will support Albania and its army in every aspect, was confirmed in separate meetings Wednesday between the State Secretary in the Albanian Defence Ministry, Perikli Teta and the Turkish Minister of Defence, Ismet Sezcin, and the Chief of the Turkish Army General Staff, Ismail Karadaj.

    Mr Teta is on an official visit to Turkey since Monday, upon an invitation of the Turkish Minister of Defence. On Tuesday he met with the Chairman of the Great Assembly of Turkey, Kalemli. ake/jz/xh/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] LEK EXCHANGE RATE RECORDING STRONG OSCILLATIONS

    TIRANE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - By A Gjata: The moneychangers were disorientated today in the free currency market of Tirane with the strong oscillations in the exchange rates of the main foreign currencies with Lek, several times today. In the first morning hours USD1 was bought up to 156 lek, while at 11 a.m. USD1 was exchanged with 152 lek. After 12 o'clock the dollar gained points and was bought at about 155 lek. While around 2 p.m. USD1 could not be bought by moneychangers at more that 151 lek. In general the selling of one dollar according to the falling and rising exchange curbs, was about 1 lek more in buying.

    According to moneychangers, these strong oscillations were a result of the great amounts of currencies bought by money-traders at set hours of the day, in view of the higher value added tax to be imposed on October 1, 1997.

    The savings bank bought today USD1 at 150.5 lek and sold it at 156 lek.

    It is the third day that the currency market is recording significant changes, but today thay were more evident.

    The average exchange rate of lek with some of the main foreign currencies on September 24, 1997 was as follows:

    Informal Market exchange rate

    Currency Buy Sell USD 153 154 DM 85 86 ITL (1000) 86 87 GRD (100) 53 54

    Savings Bank exchange rate

    Currency	Buy	Sell
    USD		150.5	156
    DM		 84.2	 87
    ITL (1000)	 85	 89
    GRD (100)	 52	 52.2
    
    jz/xh/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Contest VEFA-State delays transparency process

    Irregularities in law implementation have compelled Farudin Arapi, state- appointed chief administrator of loan-taking companies, to go from court to court instead of tackling transparency process, indispensable in the current situation.

    A decision taken by the Appeal's court, made impossible administrators' work in VEFA company. This decision according to the lawyers is beyond their reach, instead is the Constitutional court, which has the power to alter the laws enacted by the government. This brought about the change of the agenda for the implementation of transparency law, which envisages the commencement of the checks in all loan taking companies.

    Meanwhile, a standoff is underway between VEFA company and the government. The president of VEFA, Vehbi Alimucaj blames the state for not reimbursing the creditors in time. As he said in a recent press conference, the state allegedly owns him some $300 million, which according to him is the damage, company suffered during March unrest.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] REPRESENTATIVES OF U.S. HELSINKI COMMITTEE VISIT VLORE

    VLORE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - - By H Koci: A representative group of the U.S. Helsinki Committee centered in New York, the Human Rights Watch Group, visited the city of Vlore Wednesday.

    Holly Cartmer, executive director and Fredd Abraham, member of this Committee, held meetings with the prefect of Vlore, Tare Hamo and other officials. They took interest in the problems of human rights in the periods of the protests, during the state of emergency and after elections, the questions of crime, the armed groups, the armament and disarmament of the population.

    They also wanted to know about the storming of the army depots, about SHIK and all problems related with the observation of the human rights in general.

    The U.S. Human Rights Watch Group had a meeting with the representative of the branch of the professional reporters league.

    After the visit, the Group will prepare a report on the city of Vlore, which will be published soon. ake/jz/xh/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] ROME CONFERENCE ON ALBANIA TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 17, 1997

    TIRANE, SEPT.24 (ATA) - The International Conference on Albania will be held in Rome at ministerial level on October 14, 1997, was confirmed today in a long working meeting that Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano had with the Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini in New York.

    After this conference, another meeting is expected to be held in Brussels with the donor countries to discuss the strategy that these countries will follow to help Albanian economically. jz/xh/


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


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