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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-15Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Fighting on border line with Albania in district of Gjakove and DecanPRISHTINE, July 14 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Fierce fighting which took place this morning in Kosove was concentrated on the border line with Albania in the outskirts of Gjakove. Serb Yugoslav army, police and paramilitary forces are shelling the villages of Reke e Keqe in a broad area from Nec up to the suburbs of Junik.KLA (Kosove Liberation Army) forces and Albanian population are defending themselves resolutely against Serb attacks. An Albanian from Babaj i Bokes, Ali Rustemi, who was wounded by the Serb army, died today in the hospital of Gjakove, where another wounded man has also been sent. Fierce gunfire has taken place last night also in the suburbs of Decan. After three hours of fighting, Serb forces were forced to withdraw, suffering great casualties. Out of revenge the Serb forces while they were withdrawing set on fire some houses in Carrabreg and in the city of Decan. Serb forces have also attacked the villages Isniq, Lluke e Eperme, Strellc and Prejlep. An Albanian, teacher Isuf Ymeral, 67, was killed by shells of Serb forces in Isniq. According to sources in the spot, in the mine of Trepce in Stanterg, about 6 km northeast of Mitrovice, the number of the wounded in the ranks of the KLA is four. While the losses in the Serb forces, both material damage and casualties are considerable. Sources from Prizren report that from 10 p.m. up to 2 a.m. today from the base of the Yugoslav army in Landovice heavy artillery pieces have opened fire in the direction of Suhareke outskirts. Still there are no reports for the consequences. /sh.Dha/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Turkish people have always been close to Albanian people - DemirelTIRANA, July 14 (ATA)-Speaker of Albania's parliament Skender Gjinushi on Tuesday met with the President of the Turkish Republic, Sulejman Demirel.At this meeting Gjinushi said that the Albanian parliament and all political forces, despite differences in their programmes, want to further expand and promote the relations with the Turkish republic. Referring to the situation in the region, Gjinushi said that regional integration cannot be realised unless the national problems are resolved. "Kosova, our main problem, is in armed conflict. Wishing a peaceful solution, we assess that actually Kosova is in Bosnia's conditions and the solution requires a proper political and military alternation towards a second Dayton," said Gjinushi. President Demirel expressed readiness to increasingly strengthen the relations between the two countries. In the new world context, Albania is building a new democratic state, a new constitution, a new economic reality, he said. He evaluated the Albanian parliament, which supports the solution of the crisis in Kosova through peaceful means, as well as the stand that Kosovars' demands be articulated in a single voice. The Bosnian drama should not be repeated, said Demirel. "We do not see any other way besides that of peaceful solution. The Turkish people have always been close to the Albanian people," he said. /a.ke/pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Traditional friendship between Albania and Turkey is a chance for both countries- Speech of President Meidani in the dinner given for the visiting Turkish President, Demirel -TIRANE, July 14 (ata) - In the official dinner given Tuesday evening to honour the president of Turkey Sulejman Demirel who is visiting Albania, the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani highlighted the continuous interest of Turkey in the affairs and problems of Albania, in its stability. "I would like to reiterate that, in particular Turkey of this decade has extended the hand of hospitality to Albania without hesitation," said Meidani. Mentioning Turkey's participation in NATO, which has been a factor for peace in the region, President Meidani said that "membership in European organizations and in the NATO is the fundamental objective of Albania. In our forward march," he said, we have also accounted the support from friends and allies, hence the unsparing support of Turkey." Focusing on the international relations, Meidani said that Turkey and Albania are closely cooperating also in the framework of the international organizations or regional initiatives. He mentioned on this occasion the project of East-West Corridor or Corridor 8. With regard to the situation in Kosove, Meidani said: "We are realistic, we consider calmly the space and land parameters and we take into account the developments in the field when we say that a genuine peace in Kosove will be that based on the legitimate right of the Albanian people of Kosove to enjoy what they are entitled to according to international conventions." "Turkey has always proved a high sensitiveness towards developments in Kosove," said Meidani. He voiced the gratitude of the Albanian people for the continuous and unreserved contribution that the Turkish state, government and society have in general made to support a lasting and peaceful solution to the question of Kosove. "The word and role of Turkey have a special weight in the road that the solution of this internationalized problem will take," stressed President Meidani. /a.ke/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] New budget draft-law: more spaces for local government independenceTIRANA, July 14 (ATA)-By D.Koca, The Parliamentary Economic commission has recently begun discussing the draft-law "On drafting and implementing the State budget of the Republic of Albania," which will later be submitted to parliament for approval.The existing law approved since 1992, because of lack of experience, as well as because it were the first months of the economic reform, does not reflect a series of functions and instruments of financial and budget management which now have been present in Albania's economic and financial reality. The current law does not treat budget execution functions, debt management functions. The new draft-law ensures improvement of budget auditing procedures by the High State Control and creates spaces for the local budget to have its independence and flexibility to help strengthen the fund managing role by the local government bodies. The draft has been realised in cooperation with the international organisations, among which SIGMA, European Community and U.S. Department of Treasury have played a key role. Consultations on drafting the law have been carried out also with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Experience in social field exchangedTIRANA,July 15 (ATA)-Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Anastas Angjeli on Tuesday met with his Turkish counterpart Iami Cagan, delegation member of Turkish president Sulejman Demirel.The two agreed that an administrative agreement is signed between the two institutions in September of this year. They also spoke of exchanging experience in various fields such as employment, migration politics, monitoring of labour market, evaluation of impacts of social politics, statistics and other fields. /a.gj/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Demirel says 65 million Turks are close to Albania -Turkish president unfolds plan to resolve Kosova issue-TIRANA, July 15 (ATA)-By Y. Pata, The President of the Republic of Turkey, Sulejman Demirel, on Wednesday told the Albanian parliament that Turkey will always be close to Albania in case of need."The aim of this visit is to publicly declare that 65 million Turks are close to the Albanian people," said Demirel in his speech before deputies. In the context of a two day visit to Albania, the president of the Turkish Republic, on Wednesday before noon, held a speech at the Albanian parliament. He proposed a four-point plan to resolve the Kosova issue. This plan consists in an immediate halt of bloodshed in Kosova; restoration of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of Albanians in Kosova; immediate start and without hesitation of dialogue between the parties and return to their lands of all the people forcefully driven out of Kosova. Demirel criticised the international community for delay in intervening in Kosova. Turkey, he said, is ready to take part in any operation of peace, if decided upon by the International Community. "We should in no case allow a repeat of the terrible tragedy of Bosnia," he said. The Turkish president also spoke of the indispensability of expanding Albanian-Turkish relations in all fields. Also present in this parliamentary session was Albanian President Rexhep Meidani. /s.sh/pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Lack of funds, obstacle for TV 2 channel to operateTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) -By E.Popi, There will be no Albanian TV 2 channel until it is financed by the state.Safedin Cela, deputy director general of the Albanian RTV, considered "strange slander by today's press that the Albanian RTV 2 channel, to broadcast parallel with the existing station TVA, is ready to operate. The Albanian TV, based on a project, intends to have three programmes, the existing one, the TVA 2 programme as well as the satellite programme. But all these, according to Cela, will be realised after some time. As regard to the second station all broadcast licenses and frequencies have been secured. This channel will be part of the TVA. "Other programmes will very soon be added to the existing screen, but this is conditioned by the financial relations with the state," says Cela. /s.s/pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] DP to oppose draft constitution even if it is very goodTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The biggest opposition party the Democratic party (DP) rejected on Wednesday the draft constitution despite the work for its drawing up."The Democratic Party will be against the draft constitution even if the work for its outlining is excellent," Genc Pollo, deputy leader of the DP said. Pollo said that the reason why they would reject it despite the good work of the constitution commission, was that the draft could not be appropriate to the present conditions in Albania. The constitution commission ended the work for the drawing up of the constitution last Thursday. Tomorrow, the leaders of the commission will leave for Venice to submit the draft to the European Union Commission "Democracy through law". Following Venice's approval, the draft will be submitted to parliament and is expected to be voted through referendum. The DP representatives have not been present since the beginning in the process of constitution and even rejected the suggestions of the European troika to return to parliament. The European troika considered the DP's participation in drawing up constitution "the last chance to demonstrate that they are a real opposition and alternative." s.s/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] LDK general council discusses constitution of Kosova parliamentPRISHTINE, July 15 - ATA correspondent in Prishtina Behlul Jashari reported that the party of the Kosova president Dr Ibrahim Rugova, Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), held a close door meeting on Wednesday to discuss for the second time the constitution of the parliament as soon as possible.The LDK parliamentary Group, which is going to elect if head, will also deal with the issue on Thursday. mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] United States concerned on situation in KosovaTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - The United States said on Tuesday that they would try to persuade the Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to meet his engagements and allow free access of necessary humanitarian equipment and goods to Kosova people, press and information office at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said."An artificial shortage in foodstuff and other necessary goods for the population has been created in Kosova. We think that this is a known threatening tactic and we denounce such actions as violation to human rights," James Rubin, State Department spokesman said on Tuesday. The press office quoted Rubin as saying that the U.S. had conveyed its concern on the food embargo to the leaders of the Yugoslav Federation and Serb officials. "NATO is continuing to consider a series of possibilities but has not yet found a final decision on military intervention," Kenet Beckon, a Pentagon spokesman told a news conference on Tuesday. Beckon said that in the last two weeks they had clearly seen that the Albanians of Kosova, which comprise 90 percent of the population there, were becoming more energetic in their movement for independence and military actions. The Pentagon spokesman said that this was one of the reasons why the U.S. special envoy in the Balkan Richard Holbrooke held talks with the representatives of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) during his latest mission in the region. "All are trying to find a diplomatic solution to that. We believe that this is the way to be followed as we and our European partners are interested in finding a diplomatic solution," Beckon said. ake/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Sarandopoulos resumes construction of bridgesLIBRAZHD, July 15 (ATA) - By P. Zekthi: The Greek firm Sarandapoulos has resumed recently the work for the construction of bridges in the national road segment Librazhd-Qafe Thane.The works were interrupted during the unrest last year and the construction-site was raided. Now Sarandopoulos has decided to construct bridges included in the eighth corridor project. A spokesman of the Prefecture of Elbasan said to ATA that some 70 percent of the work in 13 bridges of the project has finished. The firm has vowed to finish them as soon as possible to pave the way for the works of the eighth corridor. The Greek firm has signed contracts with other Albanian firms to speed up work. Sarandopoulos, which has won two bids for the important part of the eighth corridor and the infrastructure, suffered a damage estimated at $2 million during the unrest or equal to the amount needed for the construction of 13 bridges in Librazhd, according to the firm's administration. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albanian, Turkish news agencies sign cooperation agreementTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - By Eranda Nepravishta: Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and Anatolu Ajans (AA) news agency signed on Wednesday a cooperation agreement.The agreement, which was signed by the ATA Director General Frrok Çupi and AA Director General Mehmet Gyler at the presence of the president of Albania Rexhep Meidani and president of Turkey Sulejman Demirel, showed the willingness of both sides to promote the existing cooperation between the agencies. This agreement acknowledges mutual exchange and distribution of news. Each signatory side creates necessary facilities for the correspondents of the other side to carry out their task when they are in the territory of the host side. The agreement also envisages personnel training. An agreement on technical assistance was also singed between the agencies. Anatolu Ajans has decided to offer technical assistance to the ATA. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Albanian, Turkish televisions sign cooperation agreementTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - By Eno Popi: The Albanian television, the only state-owned television, and the Turkish television ARD signed on Tuesday a new cooperation agreement in the margin of the visit of the Turkish president Sulejman Demirel to Albania.The new agreement of cooperation was signed by Albanian Radio- Television Director General Albert Minga and Turkish Radio Television ARD Jusel Jenel. "It included a series of provisions starting with the exchange of programmes, experience and necessary equipment," Mira Blushi, the television Foreign director, said to ATA. Blushi said that the Albanian television will be provided with contemporary equipment, which will be put into operation during the restructuring and television specialists would be trained in Turkey. Protocol agreements between Albanian Television and ARD are signed for the first time in 1993. mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Albanian, Turkish people to promote economic, trade cooperationTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - By D. Koça: President of Albania Rexhep Meidani told on Wednesday a working dinner organised by the Turkish businessmen with the presence of the Turkish president Sulejman Demirel at the Tirana International Hotel that he was totally convinced that tradition, excellent bilateral relations in all fields, links between the two peoples will be developed in the future due to the consolidation of economic and trade cooperation and especially the extension of Turkish investments in Albania.President Meidani considered macro economic stability and possibility to further develop reforms which were crowned with the signing of the ESAF 2 arrangement between Albania and the International Monetary Fund a stimulation to increase volume of economic exchanges between the two countries. "Turkish investors have found and will find a human environment in Albania, an economy which offers increasing possibility in which the Turkish capital will find its place," Meidani said. President Meidani said that he was convinced that the two governments would offer new mutual possibilities to stimulate bilateral economic cooperation and especially active participation of Turkish powerful capital in the process of privatisation of strategic sector of the Albanian economy, in tourism infrastructure development. The opening of a new Turkish bank affiliation in Tirana would stimulate cooperation between the states. "On this occasion, I would urge the diplomatic representatives in Ankara and Tirana, Chambers of Commerce and Industry of both countries and all economic, public or private institutions to institutionalize constantly and actively the relations between them to exchange information and everything necessary aiming at strengthening economic cooperation," Meidani said. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Turkey interested in investments in food industryTIRANA, July 15 (ATA) - Albanian minister of Agriculture and Food Lufter Xhuveli and the Turkish State Minister Yucel Seckiner met on Wednesday in Tirana in the margin of the joint Albanian-Turkish commission on Economic and Trade cooperation to exchange views and proposals on promoting cooperation between the countries.The bilateral cooperation includes Turkish investments in food industry, power distribution industry, construction of small and big hydro power plants and Vlore-Ballsh oil pipeline, as well as investments in chromium industry. They agreed that the fifth session of the joint Albanian-Turkish economic session be held in Tirana between September 1 to 5, 1998. /a.gj/ak/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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