Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-21

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] There is no institutional or governing crisis (President - Premier meeting)

[02] Albanian-German Prosecutor's offices to have concrete working relations

[03] Specialists of Interior Ministry to be trained in Egypt

[04] Five hundred-year church bell restored to Catholic church

[05] USD quoted at lek 159,40

[06] Police efficient in fighting crime

[07] Serbian forces likely to attack Albanians in Decan

[08] Selling of house hold appliance dips

[09] Around 95 percent of employed in foreign firms are women

[10] PanEuropean institutions' project to assess Albanian universities

[11] Albanian President decrees other changes in government structure

[12] Yugoslav Army reinforces positions in border zone, official says

[13] Meeting Meidani-Nano stabilized necessary compromises, says Majko

[14] National association to help emigrants is set up

[15] Constitutional Commission adopts 20 articles

[16] Greek government allocates 300 million GDR for Southern schools

[17] Cabinet has no legal obstacles to convene as collegial body, says Abdiu

[18] PM Nano considers reform in local government a priority

[19] Training on privatization process

[20] Bank's reconstruction from 15 directories to 6 departments

[21] Parliament to examine Thursday decrees on government structure

[22] Government commission, NGO-s discuss disarmament of population

[01] There is no institutional or governing crisis (President - Premier meeting)

The meeting stressed that the necessity to increase government's efficacy, develop discipline in the executive, enhance the political responsibility of participating forces in five party coalition and more professional commitments to implement goals of the in a medium term government program, is the argument for restructuring and changes in the cabinet.

The spokesman added that president Meidani and prime minister Nano assessed the activity of the government and of its members in particular. They stressed the need to face challenges in governing Albania.

President Meidani and Prime minister Nano also pointed out achievements and relative faults in the work of the government, acknowledging not only the need to respect institutional solutions in the process of change but also the personality and contribute of every cabinet member.

They believe that all the cabinet members, those who have been released and those who will go on working, represent the governing capacity of their political forces, members of the coalition.

The meeting praised the need to further improve the governing schemes and the complementary political activity of the coalition parties with the final aim of having the most harmonised representation in all governing levels and remaining closer to people in order to help them tackle their problems.

President Meidani and prime minister assured the Albanian public opinion and the international one that there was no institutional or governing crisis in Albania.

They shared the view that a full understanding and maximum commitment of the ruling coalition and the opposition could help strengthen public order in the fight against criminality, stabilize macro economic parameters paving the way for the signing of ESAF 2 accord with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), enhance absorbing and implementing capability of international projects and programmes to reconstruct Albania, progress allembracing process of drawing up and approving constitution, guarantee ongoing stability and peace in the region and resolve the Kosova issue peacefully, the spokesman said. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian-German Prosecutor's offices to have concrete working relations

A series of draft-agreements are expected to be signed on penal issues of mutual interest, sources of the General Prosecutor's Office told ATA.

The planned agreements include an exchange of information and data of mutual interest, creation of facilities to investigate cases in both countries, facilitation of mutual extraditions and various information on changes in the respective legislations. /a.ke/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Specialists of Interior Ministry to be trained in Egypt

They will be specialized in different fields as road traffic, anti terrorism, anti drug and personality guarding.

Besnik Shehu, chief of the cabinet at the Interior Ministry, said that he believed that such training would be held in respective ministries of Italy, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Turkey and others.

The Ambassador of Egypt to Albania informed the Albanian Interior Minister on these medium term scholarships for anti terrorist and anti drug specialists on January 22 this year. ake/pas/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Five hundred-year church bell restored to Catholic church

The bell has been returned by Gezim Smajli, whose family has preserved it since 1967, when the church of St. Gjon Pagezori, was destroyed with dynamite (after an open letter of the Party of Labour in February 1966, which aimed at "revolutionising" the country's life).

"My family has preserved the bell as a sacred thing since 1967," said Smajli. He added that smugglers had often demanded the bell to sell it in Greece.

The bell was made by Roman masters in the year 1500. The church of St. Gjon Pagezori was visited by the bishop of Tivar, Marin Bizi, in 1610, during a trip to Northern Albania, on a mission from the Holy See.

The noble act of the Moslem believer gladdened all the town's inhabitants, especially the sisters of the Nuns Institute in Shengjin who regarded this gesture as "an example of the spiritual revival" of the inhabitants of this zone. /s.sh/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] USD quoted at lek 159,40

So $1 = 159,40 lek, gaining 0,30 points compared with yesterday's 159, 10 lek.

The DM was traded for 88,70 lek, gaining 0,20 points compared to yesterday's 88,50 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,90 lek gaining 0.50 points compared with yeasterday's 88,40 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,20 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,30

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 2,00 points compared with yesterday's 106,30 lek and so on.

Tuesday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 159,40 lek DM 88,70 lek ITL (1000) 88,90 lek GRD (100) 50,20 lek SFR 104,30 lek FRF 25,10 lek GBP 230,10 lek JPY (100) 111,30 lek NLG 73,40 lek

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Police efficient in fighting crime

"While in the January-February period the police managed to identify criminals in 36 percent of the cases, now this percentage is 65," they said.

During the last three months, the Durres police have registered 84 crimes including 19 cases against the private property, 36 against the state property and 21 threatening and illegal possession of weapons.

"Police, also backed by the special unit Shqiponja, have enhanced their crime uncovering efficiency," the same sources said.

They said that persons belonging to 17-22 age group were especially involved in crimes rather than those over 30. Besides identifying the criminals, the police also aimed at preventing them. s.sh/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Serbian forces likely to attack Albanians in Decan

The deputy chairman of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Decan, Sali Cacaj, told the Kosova Information Centre (QIK) on Monday that heavy Serbian Army forces, backed by armaments, as well as some hundreds of Serbs, who have recently left their homes in the Decan villages, have been deployed in the site called Podi i Geshtenjave, a strategic spot from which a large territory of Rrafshi i Dukagjinit, from Kline to Gjakova, near the border with Albania, can be controlled.

Osman Cacaj, head of the LDK Information Centre in Decan, says that Serbian civilians have been settled in the former rest house of Kosova, near the Decan Monastery, and said that their movement has been made by order of the Serbian authorities.

Sources referring to Montenegrins from Decan say they (the Montenegrins) have suggested the Albanians, with whom they have family relations, to evacuate their children, as an attack against Albanian dwellings is likely to take place soon.

The situation in Decan and its suburbs has worsened after the Serbian attack in the Glloxhan village on March 24, when three youths from this village were killed and several others injured.

Decan with 55 000 inhabitants has constantly been the target of the Serbian terror and only since 1989 the Serbian forces have killed 21 Albanians, mainly youths, in this commune. /p.ta/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Selling of house hold appliance dips

Some stores in Tirana have closed down, while other owners say that the selling of such products have dropped 50 to 80 percent in these last two years.

According to representatives of "Pacifik" company which sells such appliances, they have been forced to give for rent part of the store to compensate for the losses.

The drops in selling according to some companies officials has come not from the slight price increase, but from the drop of purchase power.

Many shopkeepers think that the main reason is the filling up of market with such goods, as a result of the "boom" of the sellings level during the last years. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Around 95 percent of employed in foreign firms are women

This figure was given to ATA by the director of labour department, Sejmen Gjakoli, who adds that the 1,300 employees have all the rights forecasted by the Albanian labour legislation.

"This is of great help to Vlora, that suffered a lot of damage during last year unrest," said Gjakoli, adding that the institution he heads, is in close contact with foreign businessmen in checking the employment papers.

At present some 31 foreign companies exercise their activity in Vlora, out of which 22 have joint capital, Albanian -Italian and Albania - Greek.

They turn out mainly textile products and construction materials, where worth mentioning is DEEN company, owned by Salvatore Tofuro, deputy chairman of union's investors "Vlora e re" /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PanEuropean institutions' project to assess Albanian universities

"The pan European institutional evaluation with a coordinator from London University aims at defining how useful is the highest school in Albania based on well-known standards of similar institutions in Europe," Prof Spiro said.

He added that the Tirana University had established contacts with the leading staff of the most well-known universities in Europe such as those of France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Bulgaria and others.

The Albanian government would decide whether the Tirana University, the polytechnical one and other local universities were useful and which specialities or branches would be closed and other new ones be open.

The second phase of the projects will deal with the adaption of diplomas of highest school to pan European parameters which was foreseen to end in 2000, he said. s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian President decrees other changes in government structure

1. Maqo Lakrori released from the post of the Secretary of State for the Euro-Atlantic Integration.

2. Ilir Meta appointed State Secretary for the European Integration in the Foreign Ministry.

3. Leonard Solis released from the post of the Minister of Health and Environment and appointed Minister of Health.

President's Press and Information Department reports that the decree entered into force immediately. /s.sh/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Yugoslav Army reinforces positions in border zone, official says

Also, sources from the Kosova Democratic League in Gjakova have confirmed recently that considerable military forces with heavy armament are reinforced in this region, and in the Ponoshec village of Gjakova the Serbian army has entered with tanks. While other Albanian sources, quoted by ATA correspondent, report for a massive arming of Serbs in Baballoq of Decan and other villages, built over the past years in the border zone with Albania. /p.ta/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Meeting Meidani-Nano stabilized necessary compromises, says Majko

Meanwhile that SP reacted hardly on Friday regarding the partial decreeing of President Meidani, Majko told ATA on Tuesday that "the problems were created by the vacuum in the constitutional provisions."

"The stand of the President is within the constitutional provisions," said Majko in quite different tones from those of the SP statement, which considered the act of the head of the state a precedent with destabilizing and grave consequences for the stability in the region."

After several press releases from press offices of both institutions, which followed the gradual decreeing of changes in the government structure, President Meidani and Premier Nano held Monday a meeting, where they discussed and exchanged the necessary information regarding the reshuffles in the government structure.

Both institutions guaranteed that there exists no institutional or ruling crisis in the country, Meanwhile, President Meidani decreed on Monday and Tuesday four other members of the government, carrying to six the number of ministers proposed by the Prime Minister. /s.sh/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] National association to help emigrants is set up

The association has its branches in 12 districts and aims at boosting them in the whole country. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Constitutional Commission adopts 20 articles

There were approved the articles on the guarantee of freedom of consciousness and religion, the right to obtain information on the activity of state bodies, the right of the accused to be heard before being punished, the freedom and secrecy of correspondence or any other means of communication, the right of choosing the residence and others.

One of the articles, discussed more than the others, was that which has to do with the duration of the detention of a person before he faces the judge.

"No one can be kept detained for more than 72 hours without being showed up before the judge," the draft-constitution decided.

Also, with this draft-constitution it is defined that no one is forced to bear witness against himself or his family.

According to the draft-constitution, no one can be considered guilty until he is not proved as such by a clear-cut decision.

In the approved articles, the foreigners have the right to be sheltered in the territory of the Republic of Albania, according to the law, as well as the right to obtain the status of refugee. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Greek government allocates 300 million GDR for Southern schools

The geography of this investment is thought to be extended in other districts of the Gjirokaster prefecture, like in Tepelene and Permet. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Cabinet has no legal obstacles to convene as collegial body, says Abdiu

Meanwhile that President Meidani has decreed so far six out of nine ministers, proposed by Premier Nano, Abdiu explains that "all the ministers can normally continue the work."

"I have not noticed the President to have voiced any rejection on the proposals of the Prime Minister, on the contrary, from the way his spokesman has reacted, I think that within the deadline of ten days, the President will give a final solution to the decreeing of all ministers," Abdiu told ATA.

According to him, the term "crisis" has been used in the relations between the President and the Prime Minister because "we are used to immediate decreeing of the proposals."

Abdiu added that according to the constitutional law, the President "is obliged to present the changes to the People's Assembly within ten days." /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] PM Nano considers reform in local government a priority

Premier Nano, talking in the extended meeting of the administration council of the Tirana prefecture, said among others that "the transformation of the Secretariat of Local Government into a ministry is not a formal change, but it came as a necessity of the development of the state."

As the most part of the local government is headed by the opposition, Premier Nano stressed that "strengthening of the relations between the central government and the local government is realized through the functioning of the concept of co-governing."

"The Albanian government signed the European Card of Local Autonomy, without which we could not speak of full rights of the local government; it is drafting the law on the local referendums, which has not existed until now, has improved the law on the local budget and taxes, the law on the establishment of the municipal police, and others," said PM Fatos Nano. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Training on privatization process

The workshop aim is the training and discussion on issues related with the enterprise reconstruction and privatization process.

The workshop will be attended by specialists from the ministry of Economy, Finance, Health, Culture and sectors of mining, oil, energy, telecommunication etc.

In the seminar American professors, Sang Lee, Harish Gupta will tackle themes regard the transition period in Albania like the state role after the privatization process, financial market etc.

Setting up seminars on the privatization problems is one of ministry's aim, now that the process of privatization of enterprises still run by the state will start.

Also for potential sectors stress is put on their effective management in order to enter the process of privatization.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Bank's reconstruction from 15 directories to 6 departments

The SB now has a similar view with its European counter part.

The plan is for six departments, which will have the main share in bank's management. Until now some 15 directories has functioned, which will be converted in six departments.

The change will be followed by further reconstruction of bank's branches, that used to be 37 and now are reduced to 23 branches.

During a mid term period 7 to 10 regional Savings Banks will be set up. This will be carried out after a careful study of the market.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Parliament to examine Thursday decrees on government structure

This was reported during a plenary session on Thursday afternoon by Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi.

President Rexhep Meidani has decreed so far six out of nine proposals of Premier Nano regarding the shuffles in the government structure.

"We are obliged to present in the agenda the decrees that have come until now. Anyhow, it will better if all the decrees are examined together so that the parliamentary debate is held for all the changes," Gjinushi told ATA after the sitting.

He added that he hopes the President will also decree the other changes in the government structure until Thursday. /s.s/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Government commission, NGO-s discuss disarmament of population

The participants in the meeting exchanged thoughts regarding the different platforms of operations, which can be applied for the collection of weapons, looted from the army depots since the beginning of last year's turmoil, the department of information and media close to the Council of Ministers reported.

The meeting assigned duties for the commission members, who should present in the next meeting their remarks on the draft-platform, to define the calendar of the development of this very important action, drafting of the necessary legal base, as well as the active elements in the realization of this all people's action. The meeting also stressed the necessity of holding an intensive campaign and with transparency for the public. /a.ke/mima/mt/

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