Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-15

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] NATIONAL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS

[02] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS

[03] CREDITORS OF VEFA HOLDING PROTEST AGAINST MONEY FREEZING

[04] EXHIBITION ON MOTHER TERESA AND ALBANIA TO OPEN SOON

[05] SUCCESSFUL OSCE CONTRIBUTION TO SOLUTION OF ALBANIAN CRISIS

[06] Albania's PM to visit Hong Kong

[07] Lek again gains ground towards foreign currencies

[08] Work resumes in Bovilla reservoir

[09] Prices go up again in August

[10] Premier Oil to invest $ 240 mln in Albania

[11] Discussion on privatization of Albania's economy potential sectors

[12] 20 SUSPECTS DETAINED IN ELBASAN

[13] POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE ACTIVITY OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN FUND OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ALBANIA

[14] CREDITORS OF VEFA MEET WITH ADVISER OF PRIME MINISTER NANO

[15] "THEY WANTED TO STEP ME DOWN" - Legality chairman

[16] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS "QUARREL" ABOUT ALBANIAN NOBELIST MOTHER TERESA

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT PROPOSES CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF THE CHAIRMAN OF STATE CONTROL SERVICE

[18] "WE CANNOT MAKE THE CONSTITUTION WITHOUT ESTABLISHING THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER FIRST" - Berisha

[19] "ATMOSPHERE OF TRANQUILLITY AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE BEING FELT IN ALBANIA" - Rugova

[01] NATIONAL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS

At the beginning of the matches, a-one-minute silence was called in respect for Mother Teresa, Merited Masters of Sports Refik Resmja and Xhevdet Shaqiri, as well as of the football players Hushi, Koka and Bajrami.

Twenty-five goals were scored in the eight matches, as much as it were scored in the ninth matches of the first day of the the 58th national championship of the last season.

The results of the matches are:

Skenderbeu-Olimpik   0-0
Flamurtari-Shkumbini 2-2
Teuta-Elbasani       1-0
Tomori-Lushnja       3-3
Laci-Partizani       3-0
Bylis-Apolonia       3-1
Sopoti-Besa          3-2
Vllaznia-Albpetrol   2-0

The Tirana-Shqiponja match will be played on Wednesday evening at the "Qemal Stafa" national stadium. a.ke/kei/lm/sh/

[02] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has prepared on this occasion, in cooperation with the Albanian Radio-Television (RTSH), special tv spots, which, through retrospective, recall the recent difficult months of riots, when children carried in their hands weapons instead of books and flowers, when the smile of the little ones faded in front of the shadow of death and mutilation which took away so many lives of school children.

Over 75 000 pupils began classes today for the first time this school year.

Experts estimate that during the period of unrest, the elementary, eight and secondary schools suffered a damage of nearly 10 million dollars.

"The state, impoverished by the latest economic collapse, is making efforts, through its few financial resources, to allocate an effective budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of as many school premises as possible," Minister of Education and Science Et'hem Ruka says.

The state budget fund is also being helped by other donors, various financial organisations such as the World Bank and the European Union, which are committed to financing millions of dollars for the rehabilitation of the school network.

As regards school books, the state budget this year can only meet 25 per cent of the demands. An Italian aid, worth over 1.5 million dollars, is expected to be released. One million dollars of this aid is allocated for pre-university school books.

Difficulties are being added as reserved books have been stolen, to an extent of 10-20 percent, in almost all Albanian districts and which are now being sold on city streets at multiplied prices. kei/lm/sh/

[03] CREDITORS OF VEFA HOLDING PROTEST AGAINST MONEY FREEZING

Then the protesters marched towards the center shouting "We want our money" and continued to remonstrate until 11.45 a.m. in the Skenderbeg square.

This is the second day of protests of VEFA's creditors, who have not received any money deposited in this company since January.

Police stayed at a distance and did not interfere to disperse the small crowd.

Vefa and other pyramid investment schemes have not reimbursed the borrowed money as they have promised.

The Albanian government has found it difficult to audit the companies after the latter's refusal to make public their balance sheet./kled/ak/sh/

[04] EXHIBITION ON MOTHER TERESA AND ALBANIA TO OPEN SOON

The exhibition devoted to the century's great humanist woman of Albanian descent, will include a collection of photos, paintings of different kinds and times of Mother Teresa.

Relics and other means used by Mother Teresa or relatives during her stay in Albania will be displayed there.

The Director of the Museum of National History, Moikom Zeqo, said that the work is underway for the collection of all video materials and other publications for Mother Teresa in the Albanian language.

Minister of Culture Arta Dade has proposed the creation of a special pavilion at the museum devoted to the figure of Mother Teresa. kled/ak/Z/

[05] SUCCESSFUL OSCE CONTRIBUTION TO SOLUTION OF ALBANIAN CRISIS

President Meidani considered the end of the policy of confrontation as "a step towards the commitment of all political forces to the establishment of a rule of law."

Grubmayr voiced his readiness for the intensification of the contacts between Albania and Austria.

In his meeting today with Ambassador Grubmayr, Prime Minister Fatos Nano voiced the readiness of the Albanian Government to accomplish the set tasks and the great political, economic and social priorities in close cooperation with and under the observation of the international community." ssh/jz/xh/Z/

[06] Albania's PM to visit Hong Kong

Nano and his delegation will present the current economic and financial situation of the country and government's measures to overcome the crisis. Albanian Premier is expected to ask from IMF and WB officials to continue their aid for the economic development of Albania.

Some 12 000 delegates will attend the meeting and the Albanian delegation will be also composed by the Albanian Minister Arben Malaj, Premier's senior adviser Gramoz Pashko and State Minister in government's headquarters, Kastriot Islami.

[07] Lek again gains ground towards foreign currencies

The Savings' Bank intervened on Monday in the free market, by buying the U.S. dollar more dearly. The USD has been devaluated by 5.5 leks within the last five days.

The exchangers in the free market bought $ 1 at 145.5 and sold at 146 lek. By the end of the week, the average rate was 150 lek. While 1 DM was bought at 85 lek and sold at 88 lek, 100 lire were bought at 87 lek and sold at 88.5 lek.

The Savings' Bank bought $ 1 at 147 lek and sold at 151 lek. The intervention of the Savings' Bank in the exchange rate between lek and dollar can be considered as an anti speculative measure.

According to specialists the strengthening of lek in the Tirana informal market compared to other main currencies has come as a result of high interest practiced by Albanian banks on one part and tightening customs' control on the other.

[08] Work resumes in Bovilla reservoir

Bovilla will supply Tirana next year with drinking water for 24-hours.

The works in Bovilla began in 1990 with the funds of the then Albanian government but were interrupted several times.

The capacity of the Bovilla basin is 80 million cubic meters, with 50 million to be used for supplying Tirana with drinking water and 30 million for irrigation.

Bovilla's construction is being financed by the Italian government on the basis of a ratified financial convention with Mediocredito Centrale of Italy. This project was drafted based on an agreement signed in the protocol of November 1992 between the Albanian-Italian joined commissions.

The Italian government was committed to finance some 218.5 billion liras, part of which is a direct credit for Bovilla.

[09] Prices go up again in August

The index of prices during August is mainly a result of the price rise by 0.7 per cent of the group : "food, beverages and tobacco", with the dairy and egg prices increasing further.

Only the prices of fruits and vegetables seem to have been reduced to the extent of 0.4 per cent, but even in this group there have been light fluctuations.

Prices of fats continue to increase also this month, with the prices of butter and margarine increasing by 2.8 and 3.7 per cent.

"Medical care" is also becoming more dearly. In August it was 1.9 per cent more expensive than one month ago.

[10] Premier Oil to invest $ 240 mln in Albania

According to him, the investment is expected to increase the oil extraction capacity in Albania three times and enable cooperation with other powerful British and German companies.

Lauden said that the investment of this company in Albania so far reaches USD 20 million.

Dimitris Tsisiragos, one of representatives of the World Bank affiliate in private sector, IFC, also present at the meeting, showed readiness to back small investments in various areas of the country and offer projects for the privatisation of the banking system in Albania.

Meidani also assured them that all foreign investors will find a more effective and operative administration in Albania.

[11] Discussion on privatization of Albania's economy potential sectors

"We will alter and complement the legal framework for the privatization of economy's strategic sectors, in order to cut off corruption," told Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Minister of Economy and Privatization Ylli Bufi.

Talking on a seminar for the privatization problems in Albania, organized by the ministry in cooperation with GTZ, Bufi said:" In our program we don't have any obstacle, for us all sectors can be privatized. As national property, state has the right to issue licenses, sign contracts in form of concessions for private subjects to exploit them for a long term period."

According to the minister, here are included mines, forests, water and hydrocarbour sectors.

According to experts from the Ministry of Economy, initially after laws' alternation some sectors will be arranged to be privatized. In sectors like oil and mining there are problems regarding their normal functional.

The final goal, according to Bufi is that the massive privatization should boost economy's effectiveness, but "soon the legal framework should be complemented, for mistakes not to be repeated. Secondly, methods and procedures of tender organizing and selling of objects underway of privatization be improved in order to be more transparent and tightly controlled."

Hans Dixs, director of GTZ project from privatization said that the privatization of state right to the private subjects should be done in three ways. First in moving directly to the property right of the objects, secondly in having usage right and thirdly in the development of the object.

According to Vehbi Velia, president of the Albanian and foreign investors' union, active in the country, the procedures of privatization of strategic sectors should be in accordance with Albania's special conditions.

In general the debates started on finding the ways to compile the adequate legislation for the privatization process of potential economy's sector aim at encouraging potential local and foreign investors to participate in this process.

[12] 20 SUSPECTS DETAINED IN ELBASAN

"Police forces in cooperation with special forces from Tirane sent to police station 63 suspects and after verification 20 of them were detained," director of Elbasan district police, Vasil Cela, said to ATA.

Seven from the detained, members of the gang of Eduart Peqini (Mandela) who accepted to have committed crimes, to have taken people hostage, were arrested, according to a decision by the district prosecutor's office.

The criminals accepted they had made a number of other penal acts during the unrest in Albania. ssh/jz/xh/

[13] POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE ACTIVITY OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN FUND OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ALBANIA

Mr Meidani hailed the inauguration of a private American Bank which will function independently from the Fund. He asked a possible financing of the Fund for the extension of the Internet in Albania, a request which was welcomed by Mr Scalione.

Mr Scalione confirmed his readiness to encourage the investments of that Fund for the promotion of the economic reform in Albania. ssh/jz/xh/Z

[14] CREDITORS OF VEFA MEET WITH ADVISER OF PRIME MINISTER NANO

They asked that the government mediate for the return of their savings.

The adviser promised he would inform the government as soon as possible about the concern of the creditors of Vefa. After the meeting, the protesters dispersed. ssh/jz/xh/Z

[15] "THEY WANTED TO STEP ME DOWN" - Legality chairman

On Saturday, when leading forums of the Legality had planned a meeting, some elements outside the party, as Durollari referred to them today, "ruined it. According to Durollari, there was a man who threatened with weapons.

Durollari said that it was the first time that someone wanted to take his place in the party unjustly. He said he continued to be the chairman of the Legality Party. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

[16] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS "QUARREL" ABOUT ALBANIAN NOBELIST MOTHER TERESA

The deputy speaker, Namik Dokle, asked a minute silence to honour the Albanian Nobel Prize laureate, Mother Teresa. The deputy of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, asked that a special session be held this week to honour the great Albanian Saint.

The SP Parliamentary Group chairman, Pandeli Majko, supported Mr Dokle when he said that there was no place for quarrel after the Mother had died. The parliamentary majority criticized Berisha that even in such a case he continued to create splits in the Albanian policy.

By consensus the parliamentary groups agreed to discuss during the current week honours for Mother Teresa along with the appointment of the chairman of the State Control Service, the law "On the Status of the Radio Television," the elections of the members of the High Council of Justice, the value-added tax, etc. jz/xh/Z/

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT PROPOSES CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF THE CHAIRMAN OF STATE CONTROL SERVICE

BeAring in mind the agreement of Sant Edigios in Rome which decided that the candidate for the post of the State Control Service chairman should be named by the opposition, has proposed three candidates, Eduart Ypi, Mustafa Kercuku and Spartak Ngjela.

The proposal of Mr Meidani is put on the agenda of the Albanian Parliament today by consensus between the parliamentary groups.

Mr Meidani reminded the Parliament that one of the deputy chairmen and the chairman of the State Control Service must be named by the opposition. jz/xh/Z/

[18] "WE CANNOT MAKE THE CONSTITUTION WITHOUT ESTABLISHING THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER FIRST" - Berisha

DP leader reiterated that the present parliament cannot approve the constitution. "Let us elect the Constitutional nAssembly through free elections and sign an agreement which we will not oppose," said Berisha.

With regard to the stand of Greece as a mediator in the talks between Albania and Serbia, Berisha said that "Greece must not be a third party between us and Serbia." He hailed the Greek initiative but with reserves.

According to Berisha, a third party may be the UN, the European Union and U.S. Greece, like Romania which had this idea before, may contribute to this question," he said. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

[19] "ATMOSPHERE OF TRANQUILLITY AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE BEING FELT IN ALBANIA" - Rugova

Rugova who is leading a delegation of the Republic of Kosova on a visit to Albania, stressed in the meeting that "we are one nation and must work together to the benefit of all the Albanians wherever they are."

"Albania should be a factor for peace and stability in the Balkans," said Mr Milo.

According to him, "European states and the U.S. have directed their attention recently to the Balkans, therefore we must work as much as possible to deserve their attention." AKE.jz/xh/Z/

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