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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-01-29

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] LEFT OPPOSITION LEADERS HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE - Gjirokaster
  • [02] POLITICAL PARTIES ROUND TABLE CALLS A HALT TO RALLIES, SP OBJECTS
  • [03] SP STEERING COMMITTEE FAVOURS OTHER RALLIES OF PROTEST
  • [04] SATISFACTORY FIGURE OF INCOMES FROM CUSTOMS DUTIES IN ALBANIA
  • [05] PRESS REVIEW
  • [06] BERISHA IS AGAINST HALTING RALLIES OF PROTEST
  • [07] PRESIDENT BERISHA PLEDGES TO PAY BACK MONEY TO SAVERS WITHOUT DAMAGING STABILITY OF LEK
  • [08] PRESIDENT BERISHA PRAISES POLICE FOR NOT USING ARMS AGAINST PROTESTERS
  • [09] A TEAM OF U.S. ARMED LAND FORCES VISITS ALBANIA
  • [10] CONTRACT OF LABOUR BETWEEN DEFENCE MINISTRY AND INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS OF CIVIL EMPLOYEES OF DEFENCE SIGNED
  • [11] STATE OF EMERGENCY IS AN EXTREMELY UNDESIRABLE EVENT FOR A NEW DEMOCRACY - Berisha
  • [12] SOCIALIST PARTY DOES NOT SIGN JOINT DECLARATION OF POLITICAL FORCES IN BURREL
  • [13] CHAIRMAN OF THE DAP BRANCH IN KORCA ARRESTED
  • [14] 140 PEOPLE WHO SET FIRE TO AND RUINED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN BERAT DETAINED
  • [15] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
  • [16] 20 DETAINED FOR VIOLENT ACTS IN POLICAN

  • [01] LEFT OPPOSITION LEADERS HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE - Gjirokaster

    GJIROKASTER, JAN 28 (ATA) By Hysni Cani: The leaders of the Socialist Party (SP), Democratic Alliance (DA), Human Rights Union Party (HRUP) and National Unity Party (NUP), held a news conference at the SP headquarters, in which they declared that they will organize a meeting on January 31st.

    The opposition leaders did not accepted the meeting to be held in the field of soccer stadium, as Police Commissariat reported, but in the square in front of the soccer stadium. They are pronounced for a peaceful protest in which they will demand the government resignation, the support of the opposition formula to solve the problem of usuries, etc.

    Asked by a journalist on how will they act in case the protest will be converted from peaceful into a violent one, the opposition leaders did not answer, expressing the belief that the citizens would know to show self- control.

    Meanwhile, the police commissariat is not pronounced regarding the statements of these parties to hold the meeting. /jz/mt/e

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] POLITICAL PARTIES ROUND TABLE CALLS A HALT TO RALLIES, SP OBJECTS

    TIRANA, JAN 28 (ATA)- By Floqi, A. Baci, Several major Albanian political parties, gathered in a round table today, called a halt to rallies and counter-rallies organised by various parties as they get out of the parties' control. The SP insisted that they continue.

    The round table, initiated by the Republican Party, started proceedings this afternoon. The Social-Democratic and the Democratic Alliance Parties, although rejecting the meeting in the morning, sent Blendi Gonxhe as their representative. The National Front and the Legality Parties did not attend the meeting, giving no reason for this.

    "Under this situation all should cooperate. The most urgent problem is to call a halt to the rallies and counter-rallies as they get out of the organisers' control", republican Godo said at the beginning of the meeting.

    The Democratic Party, DP, declared that it holds responsible for the organised terrorism Ramiz Alia's former ministers, at the head of the Socialist Party, as well as certain segments of the former-Sigurimi. It maintained a categorical stand against organised terrorism and expressed its commitment to minimise in the maximum the disaster of the savings affected people.

    "We have declared ourselves in favour of continuing peaceful rallies and clearly dissociating ourselves from any terrorist act," Majko, one of the socialist leaders, said.

    "We have not come to this meeting to give up options. Our idea is the resignation of the government as it is responsible for the situation created at home," he said.

    The wave of violent acts that swept the country after the failure of the pyramid schemes have been sparked by the rallies initiated by the left opposition.

    As regards the SP position in this meeting Majko said:"The the round table can be considered fruitful only because it started."

    "The problem is a political. It stems from an economic problem, but it should be necessarily be politically resolved,", Godo said.

    "I don't think we can settle all issues. However, it is a good thing we managed to talk,", he said.

    Shortly after the meeting began, Gonxhe left the hall saying:"No comment"- no one can talk with them. He was later followed by the leader of the Democratic Party of the Right, Petrit Kalakula.

    The second meeting of these parties will be held at the Palace of Congresses on Thursday. s.sh/pas/lm/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] SP STEERING COMMITTEE FAVOURS OTHER RALLIES OF PROTEST

    TIRANA, JAN 28 (ATA)- By A. Baci,

    The Socialist Party leaders today expressed themselves in favour of the organisation of other rallies of protest.

    At the meeting of the SP General Steering Committee (GSC) held in Tirana today the socialists accused the state power of using violence against the protestors and asked the creation of a caretaking government to resolve the crisis.

    "It is indispensable that a caretaking government be created, as the only solution to the crisis that has gripped the country, and then other elections be held," the statement of the SP (GSC) says.

    The GSC has also decided cooperation with all other parties, irrespective of their lining, and has taken the decision to participate in today's round table of political parties, called by the RP chairman, Sabri Godo.

    In his speech in the rally held on Sunday by the opposition in Tirana, the president of the DAP, N. Ceka, considered "jades" and "corpses" the minor parliamentary parties (RP, HRUP) called by President Berisha to discuss the savings issue.

    The socialists have also decided to back up other rallies of protest and have accused the TV and DP segments of slanders.

    DP leaders have accused the SP of being its organisers, while the TV has provided names of SP members as organisers and leaders of the acts of violence.

    The statement of the SP GSC denounces all the acts of violence as well as those against two SP leaders, N.Legisi and L. Hajdaraga two days ago. It also denounces slanders against SP as organiser of violence.

    Two days ago the left opposition parties stated in a joint press conference that violent protests in various cities of Albania will continue until the government resigns and that they will destroy all institutions.

    The statement has been followed by the rallies of protest organised over the last two weeks by the Socialist Party which have led to the destruction, burning of public institutions, city-halls, prosecutor's offices, social-assistance institutions and archives. jz/lm/z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] SATISFACTORY FIGURE OF INCOMES FROM CUSTOMS DUTIES IN ALBANIA

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - The customs' incomes during the first 28 days of January are 104 per cent. Although the market did not have the necessary purchasing power, the traders have been able to pay the customs duties to the General Directory of Customs (GDC) at a considerable amount, reports Gazeta Shqiptare on Wednesday.

    According to the GDC sources, during these 28 days, the value of fines and goods' sequestrations from the customs officials reaches the figure 11.075.003 leks. Referring to the customs statistics, it comes out that the customs duties collected during 20 days in all the districts of Albania reach the amount of 432.982.000 leks.

    Tirana is the city which has collected more incomes at the amount of 169.173.000 leks, while Permeti with 464 000 leks is at the end of the list, continues the paper.

    The incomes form the Value Added Tax (VAT) reach the amount of 504.284.000 lek for the goods which have entered Albania's territory. The big flux of goods comes from the Durresi Port, whose customs office has collected 169.909.000 leks from the customs duties of these goods. /eva/mt/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - Rilindja Demokratike carries the statement of the Democratic Party under the title "Legal punishment is the deserved answer to the terrorists". The paper publishes the editorial "Protect town halls the terrorists. They se fire on them". The paper reports the refusal of President to impose the state of emergency in Albania. The paper publishes the speech of DP chairman Tritan Shehu in the Tirana Activists' Meeting under the title "Albanians should protect democracy from terrorism". The paper carries statements from different associations against violence and destruction in solving the usuries' problem". RD covers the reactions by the foreign press on the latest pretests.

    Zeri i Popullit carries the article "Popular protests need political solution". Under the title "Criminal act for political motives" the paper accuses DP leader T. Shehu of the sudden attack committed by unknown persons to the SP leader Nder Legisi. Another article reports that the state terror against the Socialist Party has increased recently. The paper runs an article on the necessity of dialogue, of a round table between parties for the solutions of usuries' problem.

    Republika paper carries the editorial "The crisis is not solved by hot heads". The paper publishes the editorial "RP calls to a round table the parties".

    Rilindja carries the notice entitled "The Albania's first Catholic Cardinal died". The paper carries the article "Berisha ensures return of frozen money". The paper publishes the article "The recent violence caused a damage of 5 milliard leks".

    Albania under the headline "Tirana against violence" carries the editorial entitled "The fires burnt 50 million dollars". In another article it is reported that the first to receive the money of foundations will be those who have retrieved no returns. The paper informs the starting of the penal procedures for the authors of fires and destructions during the last days. The paper publishes the article "Serbian opposition towards establishment of parallel government."

    Gazeta Shqiptare carries the editorial reporting that after the situation created from the collapse of pyramid schemes the inflation will start. The paper publishes the article "Police undertake wave of arrests for authors of fires". The paper reports on the possible dialogue among the political parties for the usuries' problem".

    Koha Jone carries the editorial "Pentagon: Be careful Berisha". The paper in another article reports that the Albanian government closed the foundations after spending their deposits. The paper carries the article "Opposition under arrest". The paper carries the article "DP gangs carry out attacks", and the article in which is reported that according to the democratic leader Tritan Shehu, IMF (International Monetary Fund) was late for usuries". The paper reports on a protest tomorrow in Gjirokastra.

    Dita Informacion covers reactions by foreign press on events in Albania. The paper carries the articles "Violence brings only destructions" and "All kinds of crisis are erupting". /jz/mt/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] BERISHA IS AGAINST HALTING RALLIES OF PROTEST

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA)- President Berisha does not support the proposal of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party leaders to call a halt to protests, according to the president's spokesman.

    According to this source, the president holds that the halting of protests by consensus is not the proper solution for the stabilisation of the situation.

    The president maintains that the situation is completely under control and that the Albanian government is determined to rigorously implement the law for any one who violates it, the spokesman says. jz/lm/z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] PRESIDENT BERISHA PLEDGES TO PAY BACK MONEY TO SAVERS WITHOUT DAMAGING STABILITY OF LEK

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA)-By Atalanta Pasko, President of the Republic Sali Berisha, at a news conference today, invited all the people who have deposited money in the pyramid scheme loan-taking companies, whose funds are frozen by the State Bank, not to listen to the deceivers because their money will be repaid. He said that this will be carried out based on a law which will ensure the full transparence and honesty of this process.

    "I want to assure the Albanian savers that no cent from these deposits can be used for other purpose besides their reimbursement. Their distribution will begin on February 5, the deadline set by government," Berisha said.

    The conscious citizens should bear in mind that this process should be realised in full, but without affecting the interests of all the Albanian entrepreneurs, the interests of all the Albanian families," Berisha said, stressing that in case the government possessed the mechanism of distributing this money within a short time, through the inflation which would swell, its value would halve and the citizens would be victims of a great fraudulence, this time because of lack of their patience.

    "The living standard of all the Albanian families would be gravely damaged, the plans and projects of all Albanian businessmen would upset. Inflation would be the most savage enemy for the poor people," said President Berisha.

    He said that the money will be paid back, guaranteeing at the same time the stability of the lek. lm/Z

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] PRESIDENT BERISHA PRAISES POLICE FOR NOT USING ARMS AGAINST PROTESTERS

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - By Atalanta Pasko: In his today's news conference, the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, denounced the acts of vandalism carried out by groups of protesters recently in some towns of Albania and praised police for self control towards these acts. "Police had the chance to react by using weapons, but it preferred better that these people face the law," said Berisha.

    Regarding the mobilisation of the army to protect some of the institutions, President Berisha pointed out that during the violent acts in some cities of Albania, many policemen were injured and the institutions remained unguarded. "Hence the Parliament authorized the President to use a limited number of soldiers to replace the injured policemen."

    Asked whether this situation would continue, President Berisha replied that this would continue for a very short time. "The army has not been used neither to unblock the roads nor for any other purpose, but only to protect public institutions, by replacing the injured policemen," he said.

    Berisha pointed out that police managed to identify almost all the organizers and executors of the ugly acts, which, said the President, have caused grief to all Albanians and Albania's friends. He added that these acts were carried out on the basis of the old platform of the defunct Albanian secret police, according to which everything of the enemy should be ruined. "Based on this principle, in the cities where these people could not win the municipalities in the free elections, they preferred to set fire to them. These groups and their organizers are SP leaders and activists in those districts. Everything that occurred is taken complete evidence and identification. Members of the groups were former secret police officers, former officers of the criminal police of the communist regime, some individuals from fraudulent foundations and some ordinary paid ill-doers."

    Berisha pointed out that according to preliminary investigation, the majority of these people had not invested their money in the foundations and in Berat and some other towns they used the slogan of toppling the government.

    "These groups abused with the behaviour of police which did not open fire against them, thus destroying very great material values. Albanian laws, which are completely democratic like in other countries, allow the protection of the institutions even with the force of arms, but I think that the protection through the force of law is righter and more reasonable, " said Berisha. He expressed his resolute stand that every criminal act would be strictly punished. He added that Albanian courts will independently and in an unbiased manner give the right response to these criminal acts.

    Asked by a RTV reporter about the socialist identity of the organizers of the violent acts, President Berisha said: "I may say that in all the places where such acts have taken place, the people have been led by SP leaders in those districts. I cannot say that it was the SP central leadership, but I may tell them that it would be right if SP expells from its ranks those who led the people and organized the violent acts." xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] A TEAM OF U.S. ARMED LAND FORCES VISITS ALBANIA

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - A team of the U.S. Command of the Land Forces in Europe is making a four-day-visit to Albania.

    The team consists of the chief of the Program Branch for mutual activities and the international programmer and for Albania, who are visiting some military units and academies.

    They had today a meeting in the Defence Ministry with the Chief of the Albanian Army General Staff, General Sheme Kosova. They talked on a possible increase of the quality and effectiveness in the bilateral military activities, spokesman of the Albanian Defence Ministry reports. kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] CONTRACT OF LABOUR BETWEEN DEFENCE MINISTRY AND INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS OF CIVIL EMPLOYEES OF DEFENCE SIGNED

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - After continuous contacts and talks for two months between representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Independent Trade Unions of Civil Employees of Defence, the first contract for 1997 was signed today in the Ministry of Defence.

    The contract envisages the implementation of the points of the Code of Labour for the relations between the employer and the employed. kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] STATE OF EMERGENCY IS AN EXTREMELY UNDESIRABLE EVENT FOR A NEW DEMOCRACY - Berisha

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - By Atalanta Pasko: "I have considered and consider the state of emergency as an extremely undesirable event for a new democracy. The countries with a stable democracy have practised and still practice it, but I am convinced that the state of emergency does not serve the countries with a new democracy," said President Sali Berisha in today's news conference.

    Asked by a REUTER reporter regarding the Parliament which enabled the President Berisha to use limited army units to guard special importance institutions, Berisha said that in the case of Albania, it was not necessary to impose a state of emergency and that limited army units have been used only to replace the injured policemen. He added that this would continue for a very short period. xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] SOCIALIST PARTY DOES NOT SIGN JOINT DECLARATION OF POLITICAL FORCES IN BURREL

    BURREL, JAN 29 (ATA) - By H Ruspi: The Socialist Party did not sign the joint declaration of the political forces of the district of Mat, which came from a meeting of these forces held upon the initiative of the Mayor of Burrel, Jerosllav Alla to analyze the situation created after the collapse of pyramid saving schemes.

    The declaration denounces strongly the acts of violence and the destructions made in some districts of Albania. It also appeals to the people to be coolheaded and not manipulated by extremists who do not wish Albania's progress on the road of democracy.

    Only the chairman of the SP branch for the Burrel district did not sign the declaration, asking some other amendments to be made to it, which were opposed by other political forces of the district. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] CHAIRMAN OF THE DAP BRANCH IN KORCA ARRESTED

    KORCA, JAN 29 (ATA) - By Behar Fejzullahu: The chairman of the Democratic Alliance Party branch in Korca, Niko Kreku is arrested under charges of launching anticonstitutional slogans and instigating participants in the rally of January 26 in Korca to carry out acts of violence and destruction.

    Kreku and Niko Pandeli, leader in the SP branch, have led the crowd that stoned the building of the prefecture and set fire to the building of the district Democratic Party.

    The deputy prosecutor of Korca, Irma Balli, told ATA that penal prosecution has started against the people who carried out violent acts towards state and public institutions on January 26 and 7 people have been detained.

    The Korca city municipal council, in an extraordinary meeting, discharged Pandeli and Kreku from this council.pas/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] 140 PEOPLE WHO SET FIRE TO AND RUINED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN BERAT DETAINED

    BERAT, JAN 29 (ATA) - By I Manka: During the past two days, police in Berat, south of Albania, on the basis of observations and direct testimonies by it and witnesses, have detained 140 people.

    A source of the district prosecutor's office told ATA that the detained are being investigated to find out the level of their involvement in the setting of fires and the destructions last Saturday and Sunday.

    In the last Saturday and Sunday crowds of people, instigated and encouraged by local leaders of the left opposition, set fire to and ruined the main state institutions such as the town hall, the prefecture, the district council, the court, the taxes office and the police commissariat. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY SPOKESMAN

    TIRANA, JAN 29 (ATA) - The spokesman of the Interior Ministry reports that police in the districts where state institutions were set fire to and ruined, have detained a considerable number of people.

    The detention of these people has been completely based on incontestable testimonies, facts and proofs which show that these people have been promoters, organizers and executors of the violent acts and destructions of state institutions in these districts.

    He added that the detention of those people has in no case been based on their party preferences. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] 20 DETAINED FOR VIOLENT ACTS IN POLICAN

    POLICAN, JAN 29 (ATA) - By I Manka: Judiciary in the district of Skrapar have detained for inquiry 20 people, inhabitants of Polican.

    These people are suspected to be among the most active participants in the fires set to and destruction of the palace of culture, of the town hall and the police commissariat in that town.

    A source of the police commissariat of the district says that the number of the involved in the violent acts is higher. ssh/kled/xh/sh/


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


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