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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-04Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Press reviewTIRANA, Feb 4 (ATA) - Today's newspapers report on the state budget for 1998 passed by the Albanian parliament. "Parliament backs government" is the title of the daily Zeri i Popullit, which says that proposals of the parliamentary commission were reflected in the budget.The same daily reports on yesterday's parliamentary session, which considered and passed the budget for 1998. Under the title "This budget marks the start of an economic progress" the daily carries the speech of the deputy Luan Hajdaraga on behalf of the Socialist parliamentary group. Gazeta Shqiptare says that the state financial law was passed with 107 votes and one abstention. It carries the article "Budget passes 'test'". Koha Jone carries the statement of the independent deputy Nikoll Lesi under the title "Why did I abstained for the bill on budget." He said that the budget has earmarked 15 million Leks for the Shengjin port but, according to him, bigger funds are needed for this port from the state budget. "Budget, this is how much will be spend in 1998", is the title of the daily Shekulli, which says "the opposition is not present at the parliament but the law gains O.K. though it is absent." Other dailies cover the budget's approval by the parliament. The daily Republika says "Budget passed without the opposition, the only opponent was the commission of economy." Albania says "Albanian parliament passes budget of anarchy. North out of the map of development funds." Rilindja Demokratike says "Right-wing budget policies threaten Albania's stability. DP opposes new figures of crisis." ake/ak/ (more) (press...2) The papers a report on the visit of President Meidani to the U.S.. Koha Jone says that the Albanian president meets U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. "Meidani: The U.N. always in Albania", is the title of an article carried by the paper. It says that President Meidani yesterday called for a permanent presence of the U.N. in Albania, "where efforts are underway to establish a democratic and constitutional system". Referring to this visit, Zeri i Popullit carries the article :"Meidani: U.N. permanent presence in Albania". The paper says that Meidani proposed the establishment of a "diplomatic" mission, without specifying its nature and mandate, as the first step of the U.N. permanent presence in Albania. Meidani's visit to the U.S. is also reported by the other papers. Shekulli says that Meidani, in his meeting with Kofi Annan, also tackled the Kosova issue, asking more pressure against Serbia. Dita Informacion says: "Permanent U.N. Office in Albania". Rilindja, regarding this visit, carries the article: "Albania's future will be more European Albania". Albania, referring to this visit, runs the article:"Meidani goes out of his wits and asks blue helmets," stressing that "the head of state aks U.N. permanent presence in Albania!!!". a.ke/lm (more) (Press...3) "Berisha is Penelope" is the title of the editorial in Koha Jone. It says that as soon as the European Troika left Albania, Berisha, in one of his routine rallies, expressed himself in favor of caretaker government and early election options, which are categorically rejected by the European legislators. Three days after, the DP leader, the editorial says, publicly agreed to DP's return to parliament and participation in the constitution drafting process. While, yesterday, the paper says, Berisha made known to the public that he had asked that all the DP branches to engage in realising the option of a caretaker government. "The way he is operating to meet the Troika commitment, Berisha reminds you of "The toile of Penelope", the editorial says. Koha Jone dwelling on Berisha's news conference yesterday says that "caretaker government is an obsession of Berisha and the only DP alternative." "The DP leader is making a pun upon words", the paper says. The same paper carries the article:"Berisha expresses himself against Europe". "The DP agrees with Troika, but returns to its old stand", Gazeta Shqiptare says, dwelling on the conference of the DP leader. "Berisha: We do not give up elections", is the title of the paper's article, which cites Berisha as saying yesterday that:"From South to North only for caretaker government". Dita Informacion tackles this issue as well. It quotes the SP leaders as declaring that Berisha's decisions are a demagogy. a.ke/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] OSCE opposes British HelsinkiTIRANA, Feb 3 (ATA) - The OSCE representative office in Tirana said that its ambassador Daan Everts has sent a letter to the head of the British Helsinki Human Rights saying: "I have a copy of your report 'Albanian judges in hunger strike 1998' which was drafted based on a fact-finding visit of your representatives at the beginning of this month. I would like to say that the letter contains inaccuracies not only on the then dispute between the judges and Albanian government but also on the OSCE presence in all the constitutional process in Albania.On the part referring to international community the report said that "the OSCE seemed to follow a different agenda from that of the Council of Europe urging the Albanian parliament to approve a new constitution, which should abrogate all the previous legal structures such as the constitutional court and judges in general. Initiated by the OSCE - approved by two thirds of the majority of the present government, the impulse to a new constitution is similar to an approval of its arbitrary power ..." Concerning the process of constitution, I will include the statement of January 23 of the European troika, OSCE, Council of Europe and European parliament. It should not cast doubts on the fact that our organisations are speaking and acting in unison, in support of the necessary process of constitution in Albania. There are no divided agenda, as you say in your report. We would be satisfied to give you supplementary information on our facilitating role in drawing out a constitution. As regards the problem between the judges and government on some aspects of the law on judiciary organisation in Albania, I inform you on the report for an acceptable solution to this issue on Janar 30. I believe that the OSCE report and the accord reached later speak for themselves. Presenting previous stages of the dispute in your report helped deform some attitudes and did not facilitate a needed positive dialogue. In interest of reports and analysis given, I ask you that this letter be sent to all those who have obtained your original report. It should have a lot from the direct information of organisations, whose activity you have incorrectly presented. We express our regret that you did not meet with us and ask for commentaries before you had published the commentary," the letter of the OSCE ambassador, said. ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Ngjela Commission approves report to be submitted to parliamentTIRANE, Feb 3 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, The investigative commission for the January-June 1997 events on Tuesday approved a report to be submitted to parliament next week."The structure of the report, based on documents of the Defence and Interior Ministries and the National Information Service (SHIK), is ready, Spartak Ngjela, head of the commission told ATA. As regards to several articles, according to which SHIK has shown reserves about the performance of the chairman of the commission and asked to draw up its own report on the events of the past year, Ngjela said that this is not true. "SHIK has handed over to me all documents and the Investigative Commission is the only one engaged in investigating responsibilities," said Ngjela. The commission had planned to present its own report on Thursday, a deadline which has been put off as parliament will not convene this week. Deputy Ngjela has never given details about the report, because this would run contrary to the law, but he has said it will refer to concrete names as regards implication of major state institutions in the January- June events of the past year. The Parliamentary commission to inquire into the events of January- June 1997, operates on the basis of a law approved by the Albanian parliament in October of the last year. lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Van bringing coffee instead of rice interceptedGJIROKASTER, Feb 3 (ATA)-By H. Cani, The Gjirokaster police late on Tuesday intercepted two smugglers from Tirane city who had loaded a van with coffee instead of rice, as shown by the documents accompanying the commodity.Sources of the district police told ATA that the "SCANIE" type vehicle, number plated TR 2981 A, owned by brothers Jorgo and Aleks Murati, had been blocked by the Kakavija border police for falsification of the accompanying papers. The value of 2.5 tonne of coffee is estimated at several million leks. s.sh/pas/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Police detain person who set fire to orphanageDURRES, Feb 4 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: Police of the city of Durres identified and detained on Tuesday the person, who set fire to the orphanage.A spokesman of the local police directorate said to ATA on Wednesday that the police forces of the commissariat 1 detained Arben Sulo, 21, inhabitant of Durres. He was charge of setting fire on Monday at 21.30 to a warehouse of the orphanage seriously endangering the lives of 35 small children. The immediate intervention of the police forces, fire department unit and youths of Durres helped evacuate children and put fire under control. s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Constitutional court rejects OSCE proposalTIRANA, Feb 4 (ATA) - Albania's constitutional court rejected the proposal of the ambassador of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Daan Everts, to Tirana on a renewal of the court, a spokesman of the Court said to ATA on Tuesday."The court discussed the request of the OSCE ambassador to Rustem Gjata, the Court chairman, and reiterated that the decision it ruled is obligatory and no compromise can be reached contrary to this," the press release said. Parliamentary majority passed last November an amendment on constitutional provisions, which obliged the court to carry out a rotation within 20 days, but the latter called this law anti-constitutional, and though the deadline expired, it did not observe the parliamentary decision. Recently, head of the parliamentary commission on laws, Fehni Abdiu said that only the OSCE can resolve the conflict, which failed to be realised by its ambassador because the court headed by Gjata refused him. ake/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Albanian Parliament approved draft project of year 1998Albanian Parliament approved on midday Tusday the draft project of year 1998.It was preceeded by the discussion of a deputees group, which on the general told that the forecasted issues in this draft are a very impotant step to overcome the financial and economic crises of 1997 and give promises to accelerate the development country's economy. The deputees highlighted that the fulfilment of ambicious aims of this draft require by the government and budget institutions an extraordinary engagement without compromise in the struggle against smuggling, to restrict the fiscal invasion,to fight against the procrastinations for public fund's application, to protect the natinal production,to accellerate restore the banking system ,increase effectivness of investments. First, the deputees approved on principal the draft and than item by item with all introduced changes by economic, finance and ptivatization board.The draft project of 1998 was voted in total with 107 pro ballots and 1 abstein by Nikoll Lesi ,who argued his abstein with the lack of investment's fund in northern areas and especially for Shengjin's port. The deputees of the parliamentary group of Democratic Party did not participate in the approvation of the draft for 1998 which is the main important event for the economic development of the country, as well as other party's deputees who don't take part in the Governmental coalition. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Meidani says "no nationalism for fa�ade"NEW YORK, Feb 3 (ATA) - By Th. Gell�i: Albania's president Rexhep Meidani, visiting the United States, told the Albanian diaspora representatives on Tuesday in New York that we should put an end to false nationalism, a nationalism just for the sake of fa�ade."It is very easy to be a criticizer and become a superpatriot in futile words," he said, underlining that patriotism will mean daily work to establish institutions and state, and economic development and real contribution to strengthen Albania. "Only a strong and stabilized Albania is a greatest guarantee to resolve national issues," Meidani said. President assessed the work of the government on the foreign policy, saying that all the diplomatic and political movements have had and have the only intention that of strengthening Albania and defending the Albanian issue. ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Balkan Urology Association created in AthensTIRANE, Feb 3 (ATA)-By S. Sharrexhi, A Balkan Urology Association has been created in Athens, Prof. Dr. Flamur Tartari, told ATA on Tuesday.Tartari said that this was attained at the end of the First Balkan Conference of Urologists held in Athens on Sunday under the auspices of the French and Hellenic Associations of Urologists. Urologists from Balkan countries as well as from Hungary and France, participants in the conference, tackled a series of problems in this field for treating various deceases. Tartari said that in this conference also took part an Albanian delegation, with urologists from Tirane, Vlore, Fier, Lezhe and Elbasan, at the invitation of the president of this conference, prof. Dr. C. Dimopollous, friend of Albania. The Albanian doctors read six reports, providing Albanian experience in urology. The topic on the areas where the disease of kidney stones is more spread in Albania and its treatment was followed with interest. On this illness, representatives of the Albanian delegation proposed that a round table to treat only the problem of urolithiasis in the Balkan countries be organised in the second conference, due in Ohrid in the year 2000, which was approved by the participants. On the proposal of the Albanian delegation, the first president of this Association was elected prof. Dr. C. Dimopollouis, currently rector of the Medicine University in Athens. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Xhani, director of the University Study Centre (QSU) in Tirane and Prof. Dr. Flamur Tartari, were elected in the steering committee of the Association. Tartari was also elected head of the Balkan Children's urology section. After the Balkan university rectors, the conference was also greeted by the speaker of Greek Parliament, Kostis Kakllamanis, and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. s.sh/pas/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Albania's president asks UN assistance to disarm populaceNEW YORK, Feb 3 (ATA) - By Th. Gell�i: Albania's president Rexhep Meidani, in an informal visit to the United States, had a meeting with Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, which focused on the problems of security and order in Albania.Meidani acquainted Annan with the measures adopted by the government and state organisations in Albania to establish order and rebuild faith and security. He stressed the progress achieved in this direction, respecting at the same time human rights and respective laws without any abuse. "There is a political pact against crime in Albania," Meidani said, adding that the state and legislative bodies are preparing a package of laws and measures against crime. Disarmament of civilian population is still a problem, Meidani said. During unrest last year, many weapons looted from the military depots were widely available in the hands of civilians and now they are the main source for painful incidents and many criminal cases. "We know that the U.N. and its organisations have the appropriate experience and possibilities to render a qualified assistance to disarm population," the Albanian president said. The U.N. Secretary General Annan expressed his understanding for all the problems presented by the Albanian president. "I assure you that the U.N. and its organisations will give an unsparing help to disarm population and you will also have my support," Annan said. pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] U.S. approves Nano government policy-U.S. State department representative says- New York, Feb 4 (ATA)-By Thoma Gellci, During his visit to the U.S., Albanian President Rexhep Meidani met yesterday with the president of the U.S.- Albanian Fund of Development, Domenic Scalione, and briefed him on the ongoing performance of the Albanian government as regards economic reforms."The government has adopted a studied and open plan to carry out a profound privatisation and create facilities in foreign investments," he said. The Albanian mission to the U.N. told ATA that the representative of the U.S. State Department, coordinator of the aid for Albania in this department, Holm, attending the meeting, said that the U.S. government fully approves the ongoing policy of the Nano government. "The Albanian government has created all conditions for cooperation with all the western countries and the U.S.," he said adding that "We are thinking to promote aid and cooperation in all directions". Also attending the meeting were representatives of the U.S. Agency of Development and other members of the U.S.- Albanian Fund of Development who supported the ongoing reforms of the government and were confident of their promotion. The head of the Albanian mission to the U.N., Agim Nesho, also took part in the meeting. lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albanian students in US urge an extensive teaching programDETROIT, Feb 3 (ATA) - By Thoma Gell�i: A large number of Albanian speaking students of the secondary schools in Grosse Pointe area, United States, expressed their need for an increase of $20 000 for "English as a second language" program for the present academic year.Since 1995, the number of the students, who speak Albanian has been increased from seven to 42. Most of them are attending the DEFER school with 21 Albanian students this year. Eight students have been enrolled in a school in Pierce and 13 in South. The "English as a second language" program has a full-time teacher and 11 part-time assistants who help 61 students in ten schools. pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Body of army depots guard in Suc of Mat foundTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA)-The body of one of arms depots guards of the Burrel military brigade at Suc village was found on Tuesday by midday.The Interior Ministry spokesman says that yesterday at around 13.00, after searches in the weapons depots of the Suc village, the body of Dode Zef Lleshi, 30, inhabitant of this village, was found. The decomposed body was found on the roof of the depot, maybe as a result of the pressure of the explosion. On January 22 of this year, the arms depots at this village were engulfed by fire and successive explosions of shells and other amunition in the depots. s.s/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Deputy speaker calls absurd Constitutional Court's refusal of rotationTIRANE, Feb 3 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, Albanian parliament's deputy speaker Namik Dokle on Wednesday called absurd rejection by the Constitutional Court to carry out rotation, as requested by an article of the constitutional provisions amended by the legislative majority."However, the problems existing between parliament and the Constitutional court should be resolved through compromise," Dokle told ATA. Dokle said that he was not aware of any proposal by the OSCE ambassador in Tirane, Daan Everts, to chairman of the Constitutional Court Rustem Gjata for the renewal of the Constitutional Court. However he expressed the parliament's readiness to cooperate with the OSCE. The Constitutional Court reported on Wednesday that it had not accepted the proposal of ambassador Everts to renew the Court. Last November, the parliamentary majority approved an amendment to the constitutional provisions which forced the court to carry out the rotation within 20 days, but the court, through a decision, considered the amendment unconstitutional and, although the deadline has long since expired, this court has not implemented the parliamentary decision. s.s/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Anonymous phone call threatens of mine in court of appealsTIRANA, Feb 4 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Police forces said on Wednesday that they found no trace of a mine reported to have been placed to the Court of Appeals in Tirana.Specialized forces of the Tirana police directorate and commissariat 1 checked the place after a telephone caller told of a wide range mine planted there. After half an hour check, the police said that the report is false and that no mine or any other explosive substance was found. Police forces used specialised dogs and mine detector. The situation was normalised at 11.30 a.m. The police Directorate of Tirana received the anonymous call at 10.30 on Wednesday. Besides special police forces, "Eagle" groups took part in this operation. s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] German Foreign minister visits Albania to discuss politicsTIRANA, Feb 4 (ATA) - By A. Keko: German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel will visit Albania on February 6 to discuss politics, the German Embassy to Tirana said to ATA on Wednesday.It reports that Kinkel is expected to meet Albania's prime minister Fatos Nano and Foreign minister Paskal Milo He will also hold talks with the Democratic leader Sali Berisha, representatives of MAPE mission sent to Albania in the frame work of Western European Union (WEU) and OSCE local representatives. The talks will focus on economic and political situation in Albania after the general elections last June, and especially steps to stabilize and normalize the situation in Albania as well as regional and bilateral cooperation. The press release of the German embassy to Tirana said that after the political and economic collapse in March 1997, the international community has contributed to a new start of Albania. With a contribution worth one billion marks, including bilateral cooperation and its promises, Germany is the second most important donor state for Albania. Germany sent its own advisers and short-and-medium period observers to monitor elections in the frame work of the OSCE, and 15 Iltis car of Bundeswehr at the disposal of observers. From July 1 to December 1997, the Federation Republic of Germany was the president of WEU. Its presidency enabled the extension of the presence of police elements for consulting and qualifying Albanian police (MAPE) and the increase of their contingent to 90 people, 15 of whom German. The last bilateral meeting between the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano and the German Foreign minister Klaus Kinkel was on September 1997 in New York in the margin of the U.N. General Assembly meeting. Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo met with German Foreign minister Klaus Kinkel on November 14 last year in Bonn. ake/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Judge threatened in KorceKorce, Feb 4 (ATA)-By B. Fejzullai, Two men armed with hand grenades threatened a judge of the Korce district court on Tuesday evening.The spokesman of the district police department told ATA that citizens Leonard Kamburi and Artur Gjoka, aged 22 and 23, inhabitants of Korce, threatened judge Gjergj Koco in his home with hand grenades. After the announcement, the police took measures to secure the judge's house, establishing guards, and are hunting them down. According to sources of the district court the judge was threatened because of his job. s.s/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Kosova president meets with OSCE troika ambassadorsPRISHTINE, Feb 4 (ATA) - President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova met with ambassadors of the OSCE troika in Prishtine Dr Slavomir Dabrova, Ambassador of Poland Antie Jensen, charge d'affairs at the Danish Embassy and John A. Garder, Norwegian ambassador.Group of diplomats visited Prishtina on the recommendation of their governments to acquaint with the situation in Kosova. After the visit, they will draft a report for the foreign ministries of their countries and the OSCE officials in Vienna, where a debate on Kosova is scheduled, the Center for Information in Kosova said. Rugova urged an increase of international pressure against Belgrade and said that the people of Kosova are declared for independence by referendum and are determined to observe their will peacefully and through dialogue. "The best solution is an independent and neutral state of Kosova with all its guarantees for Serbs in Kosova," Rugova said, reiterating the proposal for a temporary international civil protectorate. pta/pas/ak/ PRISHTINE, Feb 4 (ATA) - President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova met with ambassadors of the OSCE troika in Prishtine Dr Slavomir Dabrova, Ambassador of Poland Antie Jensen, charge d'affairs at the Danish Embassy and John A. Garder, Norwegian ambassador. Group of diplomats visited Prishtina on the recommendation of their governments to acquaint with the situation in Kosova. After the visit, they will draft a report for the foreign ministries of their countries and the OSCE officials in Vienna, where a debate on Kosova is scheduled, the Center for Information in Kosova said. Rugova urged an increase of international pressure against Belgrade and said that the people of Kosova are declared for independence by referendum and are determined to observe their will peacefully and through dialogue. "The best solution is an independent and neutral state of Kosova with all its guarantees for Serbs in Kosova," Rugova said, reiterating the proposal for a temporary international civil protectorate. pta/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Kinkel and Vedrine to tour the Balkans in MarchPRISHTINE, Feb 4 (ATA)-German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel has said in Bon that along with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine will visit Sarajeve, Zagreb and Belgrade next week "to introduce their initiative on Kosova", the Kosova Centre of Information reports.Last November Kinkel and Vedrine undertook an initiative on Kosova and, through a letter, asked from President Milosevic a "special status on Kosova". "Germany is one of the countries most interested in changing the situation in Kosova," said Kinkel at a news conference, adding that around 140 000 Albanian refugees from Kosova are currently in Germany. Speaking of the situation in Kosova, Kinkel said that it is unacceptable that 10 per cent of the population mistreats 90 per cent of the Kosova population. p.ta/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] UNESCO to assist Albania with priorityTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA) - Albania needs not only political support but especially support for the development of education and culture, Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano told Wednesday the UNESCO director for Europe and Northern America, Horst Godike, PM's spokesman reports.Presently, the possibilities of the Government to intervene in these fields have been limited, said Nano and to this end "we are appealing to all international specialists organizations which are interested to help." Albania has a great human and cultural potential, which is appreciated and stimulated as much as possible. A testimony to this cultural vitality which has resisted the 50-year darkness, is also the distinguished Albanian personality Jusuf Vrioni, who is not spontaneously named Albania's Ambassador in UNESCO, said PM Nano. Not only in Albania, but also throughout the Balkans, it is high time that consolidated societies and civil institutions be finally constructed to create for the citizens of this part of Europe those human, civil and economic freedoms which are at present urging them to leave their countries towards more civilized societies, stressed Nano. Godike said that the philosophy of change presented and applied by the new coalition government in Albania is instigating more and more the international organization to assist this country. UNESCO has drafted a calendar of activities and projects for the region in general and Albania in particular, a calendar which is drafted conformed to the viewpoints of the government for more closer links among the Balkan peoples through cultural and educational communication. After expressing his thanks to the PM Nano for the mission he was trusted, Albania's Ambassador in UNESCO, Jusuf Vrioni, said the crisis that our country passed stems from the cultural deformations that Albania experienced during the 50 years under the dictatorship, and which were not healed even during the past years, because the previous governments did not attach the proper importance to the education and culture in general. /a.ke/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Albanian deputy of Kosova, Berat Luzha arrested in PrishtinePRISHTINE, Feb 4 (ATA) - Serbian police arrested today in Prishtine the deputy of the Parliament of Kosove, Berat Luzha. Luzha, who is also a member of the General Council of the Democratic League of Kosove, chairman of the Association of the formerly political prisoners of Kosove and a reporter in newspaper Bujku, was arrested at about 10 a.m. in the centre of Prishtine, the Council for Defence of Human Rights in Kosove confirmed.The Prishtine press reported these days of "a black list" drafted by Serbian police with the names of a number of Albanian political, humanitarian activists, and intellectuals of Kosove on the basis of which they are starting a campaign of arrests. An Albanian caught by Serbian police and released four days after, declared to the Council for the Defence of the Human Rights that he was pressurized and tortured to make declarations accusing Albanian activists, among whom Luzha, the deputy who was arrested today. /b.j/p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Lawyer threatened at his home in KorceKORCE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By B Fejzullai: Two people threatened with hand grenades on Tuesday evening one of the lawyers of the Korce district court.The spokesman of the police department of Korce told ATA that Leonard Kamburi and Artur Gjoka, of about 22-23 years, residents in quarter 14 of the city, have threatened with two hand grenades the lawyer Gjergji Koco at his house. After informed, police took measures for the safety of lawyer's house, putting there guards and are working to seize the culprits. Sources of the district court say that the threat has been made because of the post of the lawyer. s.s/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] The budget for Albanian Ministry of Education covers all expenses - RukaTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By P Shuteriqi: The state budget for the current year covers all the expenses in the administrative field of the Ministry of Education and Science of Albania, said the Minister Ethem Ruka in a joint news conference on Wednesday with the leader of the UNESCO delegation Godicke.The amount earmarked for education and scientific reaseach for 1998, also adopted by the People's Assembly, is 2.7 per cent higher than the last year and take around 10.7 per cent of the total state budget. Ruka said that "this amount covers the salaries, the increased payment for higher qualification, years at work, the transport of teachers, the maintenance of schools and heating wood." He also said that "total expenses for the drafting and publication of text books are covered 100 per cent, differently from 1997 when only 25-30 per cent of them was funded by the state." Here are included bonuses for the authors of the text books, while considerable amounts of money will be invested in the reconstruction of school premises and the construction of new schools (about 2,3 billion lek) not counting here millions of dollars that this Ministry will receive from a Greek credit, the assistance by the Italian Government, donations by the SOROS Foundation, etc. The demands for other sources of financing were made, according to Ruka, with the objective that "the Albanian education raise to western contemporary levels." The Minister of Education also brought to the fore the achievements in the reform of the education at all its levels in Albania and responded the questions by reporters on the development of the education and didactic processes, the attendance of the compulsory 8 form school, etc. Ruka considered the visit of the UNESCO delegation to Albania, which ended today, as "very fruitful for the cooperation in the processes being underway for the restructuring of education in Albania." /s.sh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Fight against TB in Albania in a WHO programTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By K Shehu: A World Health Organization program to fight Tuberculosis in Albania aims at a controlled treatment of the illness with safe antibiotics.Interviewed by an ATA reporter, Jorgo Kosta, specialist in a department of the Albanian Ministry of Health and Environment, said that "the program will start to be applied in few days, first in the cities of Tirane and Shkoder, in which specialized institutions for TB treatment exist, and later throughout the country." The application of this national program aims at reducing death rate among TB sick people and preventing the spread of this disease. "In order to meet these objectives, 85 per cent of the people with a positive TB virus will be medically treated and 70 per cent of those carrying the microbe will be discovered," said specialist Kosta. According to him, there are 700 people in Albania with a positive virus but this figure is not exact because a good part of the population is not registered due to uncontrolled displacements. "This makes urgent an intensified work to know the situation better," said Kosta. /s.sh./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Snow preventing traffic in district of PukePUKE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By M Malja: The snow fall has made very difficult the road traffic in the Puke district, the Mayor of Puke, Halit Furriku told ATA, adding that "the road axes linking Fushe-Arrez with Kukes and Tropoje have been blocked by the snow which has reached one meter level."The Road-Bridges enterprise workers are opening the Puke-Fushe-Arrez and Puke-Shkoder roads by using snow-blowers. With the adopted measures, said Furriku, the people in those zones are normally being supplied with water and electricity and the private shops keep working. "With the exception of the towns of Puke and Fushe- Arrez, classes in the schools of the villages in this district have been interrupted until the weather improves," said Furriku. /s.sh/cela/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[26] February to gather Albanian writers and artistsTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By Flora Nikolla: The Presidency of the Writers' and Artists' of Albania finally decided that the congress of that organization be held on February 21, 1998.Reporting this to ATA, sources of that presidency said on Wednesday that "the congress will have reports on the two-year work of the Writers' and Artists' League of Albania, and a new leading staff will be elected." The post of the Chairman of the League since 1992 is being held by Bardhyl Londo, while Xhevair Spahiu is Secretary of the League. The writer Ismail Kadare is declared Chairman of Honour of that organization. The above sources also said that "the Congress of the Writers' and Artists' League had to be convened last year, but it could not be held because of the situation in the country in 1997." The Writers' and Artists' League of Albania was formed in 1945 to coordinate the creative work of Albanian artists and writers. Its first chairman has been Sejfulla Maleshova, who was followed by Shefqet Musaraj, Dhimiter Shuteriqi and Dritero Agolli who has been in the the lead of the League for 18 successive years. /s.sh/cela/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[27] MAPE inspects police in southern AlbaniaGJIROKASTER, Feb 4 (ATA) - By Hysni Cani:Representatives of the the European police organization, MAPE have started, from February 3, to inspect the police commissariats of the Southern districts of Albania. Eights of the MAPE representatives had today meetings with leaders of police commissariats and regional department in Gjirokaster. The chief of the Police commissariat, noncommissioned colonel Ilirian Dida told ATA that the MAPE representatives wanted to know about crime in that district and the situation of police units. The European police representatives, according to Dida, have seen the working conditions of the city police, and have expressed their concern for the unfavorable conditions for the detainees. On Wednesday, eight other MAPE representatives carried out monitoring missions in Permet as well. MAPE has been present in Albania for several months now, to help restructuring and modernization of Albanian police. cela/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[28] Heavy rain falls block national road leading to GjirokasterGJIROKASTER, Feb 4 (ATA) - By Hysni Cani: Vehicles cannot pass in a four kilometer segment on the national road north of Gjirokaster as a result of the swelled River Drino and the overflow of Lake of Viroi.The continuous rain for the past two days in that district caused River Drino come out of its bed and overflow a part of the valley with the same name, the national road near village Mashkullore and reach the homes in the lower city quarters. Water did also cover the electric station of the city, causing blackout in all the district. Forces of the interior and defence ministries in the district have adopted all measures to control the situation and assist the population. If rain falls continue with the same intensity, electric enterprise menagers said, electric supply will be difficult in the coming days. /s.s/cela/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[29] We do not accept thesis that Kosova is an internal question of Yugoslavia - LloydTIRANE, Feb 4 (ATA) - By A Haxhiu: In the meeting of Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo with the Foreign Office State Minister of Great Britain, Tony Lloyd, in Tirane on Wednesday, the latter expressed the concern of his government and EU for the situation in Kosove."We do not accept the thesis that Kosova is an internal issue of Yugoslavia since it has an indisputable influence in other countries of the region, as well as in Albania, FYROM, etc," said Lloyd. "We hail the approach of the Albanian Government regarding its policy for stabilization in the region," said Lloyd, stressing that "in this respect, there is also an international preoccupation and a demand from the U.S. and the European Union for stability in the Balkans." Mr Lloyd also said that "the key to the solution of the conflict in Kosova is the dialogue to be established between Belgrade and Albanian progressive representatives of Prishtine." Minister Milo considered the situation in the Balkans and especially in Kosove as fragile. "The Albanian Government has drafted and followed a realistic policy in the region and wants to solve any kind of conflict through dialogue, understanding and the democratization of our societies, to make them civil and to serve the movement of the people, goods and the constructive political dialogue." But, he added, not everything depends on the Albanian side. "With regard to the Kosova question, Belgrade should reflect immediately," said Milo, "so that the situation there be solved peacefully. We expect from Belgrade clear and concrete messages." Hailing the British declarations and those of various European organizations and countries that Kosova is not an internal issue of Serbia, Milo pointed out that "the Albanian side will support any initiative offering solutions to this problem." /a.ke/xh/ 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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