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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-12-24Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] YOU WILL NEVER FEEL ALONE IN YOUR EFFORTS TO OVERCOME CRISIS - ProdiTIRANE, DEC.24 (ATA)-Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Tuesday assured Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano of Italy's support in overcoming the country's economic and social crisis."You will never feel yourselves alone in your efforts to overcome the economic and social crisis your country is undergoing," said Prodi in a telephone message of greetings on the occasion of the end year's festivities. "I, personally, express my congratulations for all you have done for Albania and at the same time I reconfirm my constant support to work together in the context of the European principles and to carry ahead the joint agreements we have signed and which will be added during 1998," said Prodi. Nano thanked the Italian Prime Minister for his unreserved solidarity. "Your assistance and support is becoming increasingly concrete, bolstering the possibility of a very fruitful Albanian-Italian cooperation, which is making the new Albanian government increasingly welcome to the European Union," said Nano. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] JUSTICE BODIES SUPPORT CONTRABAND - ministerTIRANE, DEC.24 (ATA)- By Th. Thanasi, The Albanian Interior Ministry has played a decisive role in the anti-contraband action since August of this year.Confirming this to ATA, Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, did not exclude the assistance provided by other ministries but said that the rhythm of the war against contraband has been determined by the Interior Ministry by taking under control in August of all customs which had gone out of control and by constantly curbing smuggling on the main road and sea routes. The result of this performance, said Ceka, has been the interception of two ships, one in Velipoje and the other in Vjose outfall, both carrying contraband cigarette, worth about one million dollars each, and a total of sequestrated commodity reaching some $3 million . Some 3,3 bln leks were secured only during October and November, twice the figure of the most successful two-month period during the DP governing. Ceka said that coordination with the Finance Ministry has also been successful, such as in the case of blocking five vans seized in Fier, in which order police cooperated with that of finance, and in the border crossing points of Kakavije, Qafe Thane and Durres sea port. "We have not well cooperated with the justice bodies, especially the prosecutor's office, because of the court backing the contraband," said Ceka, adding that they have released smugglers in the district of Elbasan and Lezhe, and this pressure and cooperation with smugglers continues even today." This, he said, was also clearly seen in the protocol signed Monday at the meeting of the Inter-ministerial Committee to run and coordinate fight against contraband, in which the representative of the Albanian Court refused to sign, arguing that "he defends independence of justice". s.sh/kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] ITALY PROVIDES AID FOR WOMEN, INVALIDS AND INFANTS ASSOCIATIONSTIRANE, DEC.24 (ATA)- By K. Shehu, The 20 bln lira worth of humanitarian projects, recently approved by the Italian government in favour of women, invalids and infants, were made present yesterday by the Italian Minister of Social Solidarity, Livia Turco.The aid is granted in the form of cooperation between the Albanian and Italian non-governmental organisations. "We are all interested that this initiative be successful for two reasons: for Albania's success and, above all, for the joint work to yield results". The debate between the representatives of Albanian non-governmental associations with the responsible for International Social Service, Mauro Valiri, made present the most immediate needs of these associations. kled/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] DRINKING WATER BLOCKED IN DURRES AGAINDURRES, DEC.24 (ATA)- By S. Gjordeni, The odyssey of drinking water interruption in Durres seems not to be finally resolved.Some 400 000 inhabitants of the Durres-Kavaje-Shijak zone were not supplied with water yesterday. The cause is already known: again several villagers, claiming to be former land owners, have occupied the water resources in Fushe-Kuqe in Lac. Representatives of the prefecture are said to go to Lac today. a.ke/kled/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] COOKING OIL - SOAP FACTORY LOOTED IN ELBASANELBASAN, DEC.23 (ATA)- By P. Zekthi, The cooking oil-soap factory "Deta" in Elbasan, administered by an Italian company, was looted Monday by midnight by unidentified persons.Sources of this factory told ATA that thieves have stolen seven to eight tonnes of cooking oil and the total damage is estimated at three million leks. Authorities of police commissariat 1 say the theft must have been carried out in complicity with workers of this factory. They support this with the fact that "such big amount of oil could not be transported without support from persons working in this factory". During the March unrest this factory was among the fewest enterprises in Elbasan that were not damaged, as they were guarded by the workers themselves./s.sh/pas/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] PRESS REVIEWTIRANE, DEC. 24 (ATA)- Today's newspapers cover the visit and meetings in Albania of the Italian Minister of Emigration and Social Affairs, Livia Turco. They also treat the situation in Lezhe, the issue of the constitution, contraband and the strike of judges.Zeri i Popullit reports on the visit of Turco: "Support for Albania, 20 projects approved". The paper also broadly covers Turco's meetings with the country's senior authorities. As regards inundations in Lezhe, the paper reports on the parliamentary debate under the title:"Long-term and lasting solution". Livia Turco in Tirane. Agreement with non-governmental organisations signed, says Koha Jone under the title:"Some 20 billion lira for the youth". As regards floods in Lezhe, the paper carries the article:"Anti-flood emergency measures". "The Government will provide aid for the affected families". Investments planned to eliminate floods, the paper stresses. Twelve projects for women, infants and handicapped, says Albania under the title:"Italy to provide 20 bln for social sectors". Zeri i popullit covers the news conference of SP leaders under the title;"Majko:We should realise that the government coalition parties and the opposition are part of each other". Rilindja Demokratike covers Majko's news conference under the title:"Majko: organised crime has flourished in Albania". Majko considers normal his possible quit from the party leadership, the paper says. The paper runs the conference of the Union for Democracy under the title:"Fascist act towards people with a mandate". "Avoidance no, debate yes, dictate no", says Republika regarding the SP conference. The Union for Democracy supports the striking judges, the paper says under the title: "Hajdari:This government is leaned towards Eastern justice". Koha jone devotes the editorial entitled:"Guillotine of corruption" to the SP news conference, which it widely covers under the title:"Majko: Corruption cannot be hidden". "State administration plunged into corruption", the paper cites Majko as saying during the conference. The SP Secretary General does not forecast replacement in position," Albania says under the title:"Blushi instead of Majko?! -Nothing strange". The paper cover the conference of the Union for Democracy under the title:"Politicisation of crime, failure of the government". Socialists react towards charges of spirit of dictate inside the party, says newspaper Shekulli under the title:"Majko: There can be no caretaker government". "SP says the executive has much to change", the paper underlines. Rilindja says "There is no clan war in the fold of socialists". "Leaders of the ruling party smooth tones of polemics", the paper says. "The SP number 2 was harsh yesterday with Berisha and his opposition politics", Gazeta Shqiptare says. As regards the judges' strike, under the headline "Juridical wonders in Tirane", Zeri i Popullit carries the article: "Towel of politics continues to be used". "Judges of all the country in solidarity with the Judges' strike", Rilindja Demokratike says under the title "Nano closes courts". RD also reports on inundations in Lezhe: "Lezhe inhabitants still in water". Striking judges bring law suit against Justice Minister, says Koha Jone under the title: "Strikers denounce: Kondi ordered police". "Judges one hour before the Tirane court" says Dita under the title:"Strikers: The minister has no reason to come in bullet proof vest". "Meidani calls Imami and Godo, the paper says regarding yesterday's meeting on the constitution. The paper covers the conference of Foreign Minister Milo under the title:"Kosova's army is not trained in Albania", while Shekulli covers it under the title "The request of FRY may be examined". The Serbs should dialogue with the Kosovars, the paper says. As regards the constitution the paper says:"Meidani: Constitution in the next year". Gazeta Shqiptare covers Milo's conference under the title:"War in Kosova, Tirana: We do not intervene". kled/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEIDANI CONGRATULATES ARTISTS, SINGERS AND ORGANIZERS OF SONG FESTIVALTIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - Albania's President Rexhep Meidani today met with the artists, singers and organizers of the 36th Albanian Light Song Festival, President's press and information office reports."Since I could not attend the last performance of the festival because I had to follow for every moment the grave situation in Lezhe due to the floods there, I am here today to share the joy with you," said President Meidani in the meeting. "I think that events must be judged objectively and concretely, in relation with the moment they take place, and I appreciate this festival as a success of the Albanian song, which rose above the bad experiences and difficulties of this year," said President Meidani. Speaking of the difficulties that Albania is passing, especially the economic ones, President Meidani stressed that the society needs to have an harmonious development, and art and music are part of and an indispensable need of this development. Mr Meidani voiced the belief that in the future the cultural development in the country will have a greater economic support. The song which won the first prize in this year's festival that ended on December 21 was entitled "Far from hatred." It was sung by the 16 year old singer, Elsa Lila, the winner of the last year's song festival as well.pas/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] WE ARE ADOPTING ALL MEASURES TO FIGHT TRAFFICKING - Interior MinisterTIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - By Th Thanasi: Interior Minister of Albania Neritan Ceka asked cooperation from all state structures in the fight against trafficking."Albanian police have adopted measures to fight trafficking which would not have existed in Albania had there not been cooperation among traffickers with Albanian set police sectors, with customs houses and judiciary," said Ceka. According to him, during the fight against trafficking, the ranks of police have been purged from the collaborators and supporters of traffickers. "Purging was made in the commissariats of Delvine and Sarande, in which a part of the employees there were involved in trafficking and cooperated with traffickers. They are now sent to Albanian judiciary for judgement, while in Lushnje the chief of the commissariat of this city was discharged and penally prosecuted," said Minister Ceka. He stressed that mainly the cigarette and oil smuggling starts in the Greek or Macedonian territories and ends in the Albanian territory. Recently, the Interior Minister had working visits to Italy and Greece and he agreed with his counterparts there on the fight against trafficking, on cooperation and coordination of this fight. With the Italian Government Albania has signed and is implementing the agreement for four motorboats of Guardia di Finanza to be brought to Albania and the construction of a number of radars and telecommunication facilities. With the Public Order Minister of Greece we are coordinating acts to fight smuggling in Southern Albania, said Ceka. kei/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] THE STRIKE OF THE JUDGES WAS A POLITICAL REBELLION - Minister of JusticeTIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - By Manjola Hodo: The Albanian Minister of Justice, Thimio Kondi told a news conference on Wednesday that the judges who were staging a strike in the Tirane Court were taken out of that building because according to law, strike in a public institution is not allowed."It was a political show. It was not simply a strike but a political rebellion because present in the Court building during the strike were also Mr Genc Pollo, Mr Azem Hajdari and Mr Shaban Memia (main DP leaders) people who had nothing to do in the Court after the working hours there were over, " said Minister Kondi. A strike of some judges in the Court of Tirane and in some districts which started on Friday was dispersed by the forces for the security of important institutions. Most of the strikers were judges who were working in the court after completing a 6 month course in the field of law. "I have received no order and have ordered nobody to take the judges out of their strike. I am Minister of Justice and not of Public Order, it is not my competence to do so," said Mr Kondi. Mr Kondi explained further on in his news conference the law "On the organization of justice in the Republic of Albania" which Albanian Parliament adopted last Thursday. "We will fight for a depoliticized judiciary. The last draft of the law and the passed law does not mention any judges who are graduated from a 6-month course in justice, but it says that judges will continue to be only those who meet the conditions envisaged by law," Kondi said in his explanation on the law. kwei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] THERE ARE NOT MAFIA GROUPS IN ALBANIA BUT INCRIMINATED PERSONS - RakipiTIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - By V Carcani: The General Attorney Arben Rakipi Wednesday stressed that even after the investigation of the Italian Antimafia group, the mafia groups did not exist in Albania.Referring to the possible existence of some organized mafia groups, Attorney Rakipi declared that "there is not any information that groups of organized crime, which usually is imported, exist." The Italian prosecutor's Office too is interested in this question, and it sent some jurists to investigate into the Italian firms and enterprises working in Albania, one of which is also the Italian-Albanian Bank. "From the investigation into that Bank, the result was only the blocking of the deposits of a subject in that bank, whereas its activity continues as usually," said Mr Rakipi. The Prosecutor's Office of Bari is intensively inquiring into organized crime among some Albanian and Italian people and in the smuggling they organize. Referring to the catastrophe of Otranto, the Albanian Governemnt has started investigations. "Soon, a group of Albanian prosecutors will go to Italy to gather the proofs from Italian prosecutors and after making their comparison, they will find out the cause of the incident and the culprits," said Rakipi. kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] FOUR PEOPLE DETAINED UNDER CHARGES OF TORCHING IN MARCH THIS YEARGJIROKASTER, DEC 24 (ATA) - Special forces in the Interior Ministry detained on Wednesday four people suspected for torching, destructions and other crimes during March this year in the city of Gjirokaster, Southern Albania.Police sources in Gjirokaster report that the four detained were brought to Tirane. After these detentions, some inhabitants of Lazarat village have blocked the national road passing through this village. Special forces of the Interior Ministry deployed in Gjirokaster for several days now will be reinforced with other forces of this ministry, who have already left Tirane for Gjirokaster. ssh/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] D'ALEMA SUPPORTS INSTITUTIONAL PROCESS IN ALBANIATIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - Secretary General of the Italian Left Democratic Party, Massimo D'Alema has expressed his conviction in the Albanian Government for the consolidation of the institutional process, the department of press and information of the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports, referring to D'Alema's interview with the Italian newspaper "Il Messaggero."After a visit to Albania last week, during which he attended the National Conference of the SPA, D'Alema stressed for the newspaper that Italy must help Albania in its economic recovery and in the consolidation of this process. The main leader of the Italian left wing democrats insists in assisting Albania. Mr D'Alema also expressed his opinion on the role of the Albanian opposition in the process of the constitutional reform, stressing that the opposition parties must take part in the Parliament. In this context, D'Alema asked from the political forces of the Italian right wing to influence in this regard, taking into consideration their relations with the Albanian opposition. ssh/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] THOUSANDS OF ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS RETURN HOME FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEARGJIROKASTER, DEC 24 (ATA) - By H Cani: Many Albanians have returned home from Greece recently to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families.Officials of Albanian police in the border point of Kakavije report that about 3 000 Albanian emigrants and students have come home in the past three days and this number is expected to increase in the coming days. The same source reports that the number of the Albanians who return home to celebrate Christmas and the News Year in their country is greater that a year ago. kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE GREET CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS ON CHRISTMASTIRANE, DEC 24 (ATA) - Albania's President Rexhep Meidani and his wife, Lidra, address a message of greetings to Christian believers and to all Albanians on occasion of Christmas.The President and his wife express their wishes for more joy and hope, more security and prosperity in the Albanian homes and for a better future, for a better day for all the people, children, the aged, the sick and the poor. ssh/kei/xh/k 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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