Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Meetings of an Albanian government team in Bajram Curri

[02] Serbian forces sent from Gjakova towards border with Albania

[03] Displacement towards field zones for economic reasons

[04] Arms fire continued until late last night - Gjakove

[05] Around 24,162 unemployed profit social benefits

[06] No mobilization of reservists in northeastern Albania

[07] Expected revenues from taxes estimated at lek 1,9 billion

[08] Greek health minister arrives in Albania

[09] Laboratory of National Medicine Control Centre completed

[10] Meidani meets head of movement for understanding among peoples

[11] Altar of homeland joins all its heroes, president

[12] Albania's Foreign Minister visits Strasbourg

[13] Albania president leaves for Strasbourg

[14] "Fiera Del Levante" to be staged in Albania late May

[15] Energy, mine sectors in focus of Greek investors

[16] Albania wants to participate in integration, unification process

[17] DP refuses to propose candidatures for RTA Committee

[01] Meetings of an Albanian government team in Bajram Curri

To welcome the team with which was also the military attache of the U.S. Embassy in Tirane, Lieutenant Colonel Appelgate, were the prefect of Kukes, Has and Tropoje, Qemal Elezi and leaders of the local government along with inhabitants of the town.

The department of information and media of the Council of Ministers reported that in the military units of 23th Infantry Brigade and in that of tanks near Bajram Curri, the team was briefed of the measures being adopted for the implementation of the tasks related with the situation created in the northeastern border as a result of the aggravation of the crisis in Kosove.

After the meetings with officers and soldiers in the military units, the government team had a meeting in the command headquarters of the Brigade. The commander of the Northern Division, brigade general Kudusi Lame, spoke to the team of the efforts made by the units to respond to the created situations through a higher level of the military alert.

In the centre of the discussions was the real valuation of the situation, the orientations in the field of defence, the operational and individual tasks for every units in case of an eventual aggression and the sensitization of the people in defence of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Leaders of the brigade informed those present in the meeting of the latest situation in the border line, the training program and close cooperation with the local government for the realisation of the tasks.

In his speech, Bashkim Fino stressed the right valuation of the situation in this district, the necessity of strengthening the coordination between the structures of order, defence and local government to cope with the problems that may be encountered, and appreciated the patriotism manifested by the inhabitants of this zone for the defence of the freedom and sovereignty.

Ministers Teta and Hajdaraga pointed out the importance of strengthening order and security in the current conditions and restressed the special attention that the government pays to the situation created in the northeastern state border.

In the meeting, held later with leaders of local government, the government team was familiarized with the situation in the district, as well as with the problems faced actually. Those who spoke in this meeting pointed out that the situation in the border line is complicated, they themselves are witnesses of the use of heavy arms in the villages of Kosova. In front of this situation, the meeting recommended strengthening the unity, increasing the vigilance towards any dangerous escalation of the situation, as well as avoiding the provocations.

With regard to the security situation in the district, the government team was informed in a meeting organized with the effective of the Order Ministry, which have increased all their efforts to fight crime and illegal traffics. The General Police Director, Sokol Bare, gave an information on the activity of the order forces, as well as on the cooperation with the bodies of local government and defence.

The government meeting also held a spontaneous meeting with the OSCE ambassador in Albania, Daan Everts, who inspected recently the OSCE offices in the towns of Kukes and Bajram Curri, as well as the border zone in this region. The OSCE representative, who had just turned from the border line, said that he heard shots of heavy artillery towards Punashev village of Kosova and saw in a distance the burning houses. /s.sh/xh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Serbian forces sent from Gjakova towards border with Albania

A military convoy, made up of three tanks, three armoured vehicles and 11 big and small transport means of the Yugoslav army have been sent from Gjakova towards the villages of Reke e Keqe, Ponoshec, Morine, Brovine, Molliq, as well as units of the Serbian special forces. The Commission for Information of the Kosova Democratic League branch in Gjakova (The Kosova Democratic League, the largest party of the Kosova Albanians) reports that the Serbian forces exercise a severe control along the streets of Gjakova and maltreat the people. /p.ta/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Displacement towards field zones for economic reasons

"Only the in habitants of 80 houses, out of 140, have remained from the villages of the Stebleva commune," the chairman of this commune, Pellumb Gjini, told ATA.

The displaced from Stebleva and the other communes of this district have been installed in the field zones of the districts of Durres, Tirana, Lushnje, Fier (Western Albania.)

Asked about the reasons of the departure, Gjini said that they are mainly economical.

"The small surface of the land, but even the social conflicts for ownership issues, have forced these families to leave their birthplace in search of a better life," he added. /s.sh/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Arms fire continued until late last night - Gjakove

No news has been received from Decan because the telephone communication has been rather difficult, while Drenice had a relatively calm night, according to an activist of the Democratic League in Llaushe. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Around 24,162 unemployed profit social benefits

Tirana, the capital has the highest rate of unemployment with 3,655 people. This number is swollen with the coming of new people mainly from the north east part of the country, who are registered at the district labour offices as unemployed.

Second come Shkodra district, north west Albania with 3,437 unemployed people, who profit social benefits, than Skrapari district with 2,207 unemployed.

The bulk of unemployed who receive social benefits in Tirana and Shkodra towns belong to 21-34 group age.

The majority of unemployed people have elementary education. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] No mobilization of reservists in northeastern Albania

The chief of the regional branch of recruits mobilization in Kukes, Zaim Noka told ATA that the reports published in some press organs for mobilization of reservists are groundless.

The mobilization of recruits, according to the law on compulsory military service, said Noka, has been realised to the amount of 80 per cent, which is satisfactory as compared with other zones of the country. /s.sh./pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Expected revenues from taxes estimated at lek 1,9 billion

Sources from this department told ATA that around lek 1,9 billion are predicted to go to state coffers for April, which means the realisation of plan 100 percent.

Since early 1998 the collecting of taxes has been on the rise month in month out.

Thus, in January are collected around lek 1,2 billion, in February lek 1,5 billion, in March 1,6 billion and for April are expected to be picked up around lek 1,9 billion.

Based on these preliminary data, the specialists of tax department are optimistic that revenues from taxes for the coming months will be even higher. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Greek health minister arrives in Albania

The delegation was expected to meet representatives of the Human Rights Union party (PBDNJ) and clergy of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous at the presence of the Greek ambassador and Albanian minister Solis in the Greek Embassy.

Geitona was expected to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement in health public with his Albanian counterpart. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Laboratory of National Medicine Control Centre completed

Ilir Duraj, representative of the PHARE Programme office, said that the PHARE programme has provided an amount of $100 000 for the construction of this centre.

The centre makes the exact examination of all the imported medicine contingents, which penetrate the Albanian pharmaceutical market, through the private companies.

The lack of control on the imported medicaments has given way to speculations and contraband.

Albania's drugstores sell medicines which often lack labels and the necessary wrappings. The production and expiry dates is as well manipulated. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Meidani meets head of movement for understanding among peoples

Meidani stressed the need of promoting the democratic process and participation of all the political forces in the whole process of the country's democratic reconstruction, according to the President's press and information office.

"Non-participation is not political," the interlocutors said, pointing to the indispensability of a minimum political consensus on the challenges facing the country.

Decker praised the contribution of the new institution of the President of the Republic and all round support from within and outside the country to enhance its role in the political equilibrium, necessary to guarantee the incessant development of democracy at home. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Altar of homeland joins all its heroes, president

"The May 5 entered in our calendar holidays with the name of the youth Qemal Stafa, one of the most distinguished heroes of the national Liberation Anti fascist War, who was and remained the incarnation of the idealism, patriotism and other higher features of the generation who fought a glorious war, ranking Albania in the camp of antifascist winners," the message said.

President Meidani said "this symbolic day commemorates all those who laid down their lives in different times for lofty, national and human ideals of liberty, independence and democracy in Albania. Altar of the homeland embraces all who laid down their lives for its sake."

There were thousands of those sons and daughters of the Albanian nation who laid down their lives conscious of the price a country could pay for being free, calm, prosperous and proud of its citizens and families of free nations, Meidani said.

"They are the greatest founders and defenders of our future. By honouring them we are affirming patriotism, this precious and generous value for every people and generation," he said.

"On May 5, I have the special pleasure to convey my cordial greetings to different organisations and associations of veterans, martyrs' families, new generation and to express the deep respect of the Albanian state and my personal respect for all the martyrs of the nation," president Meidani said. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albania's Foreign Minister visits Strasbourg

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania president leaves for Strasbourg

The conference will be held on the occasion of Greece's taking over the presidency of the Council of Europe and will be attended by member states senior authorities, press and information office at the presidency said on Monday. ake/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] "Fiera Del Levante" to be staged in Albania late May

Monday was signed the agreement on the fair organization, where was also present Albanian State Secretary for European Integration, Ilir Meta.

The fact that the inauguration ribbon will be cut off by Italian and Albanian Premiers, Romano Prodi and Fatos Nano respectively shows the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries.

According to president of "Fiera Del Levante", Divella in the fair will participate around 230 Italian companies and from the Balkan countries as well.

Foreign companies specialised in various sectors like construction, agricultural, financial, telecommunication, light industry, banking, electronics etc will have separate pavilions in the fair.

Worth mentioning are Italian companies, private or state run ones as, IRI, ENI, Telecom Italia, Banco di Roma, Alcatel Italia, Simest and Gruppo Marconi.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Energy, mine sectors in focus of Greek investors

Athens, May 4 (ATA) - Energy and mining sectors have attracted the interest of Greek businessmen for cooperation in Albania.

Sources from the Albanian Embassy in Athens reported that is projected the idea of re activating the Energy Committee for Vjosa river, which will exploit the water through the construction of hydro power works.

From the Albanian side is proposed the drafting of geological and geophysics maps and also the implementation of a project for technical appraisal in the exploration of decorative stones sources.

According to sources from the Embassy in the mining field, a contract was signed recently between the iron-nickel mine of Bitincka and Greek company Narko, which will turnout 50,000 tonnes of ore on the benefit of the Greek company.

Telecommunication sector is another point of mutual collaboration, where the inter governmental initiatives will soon give its results.

Projects between Albania Telekom and Greek OTE include optic cable links of cities Gjirokaster-Ioannina, Pograde-Korce- Billisht-Follorin and Gjirakoaster-Delvine-Sarande.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albania wants to participate in integration, unification process

Press and information office at the Foreign Ministry said that Fassino congratulated Meta for his nomination at this post and said that this "nomination testifies to the conviction that Albania wants to participate with dignity in the process of integration and European unification. It tries to join those Euro Atlantic institutions, which it legitimately wants to adhere to."

Fassino also congratulated the other new members of the Albanian government who "will give their contribution in promoting fruitful relations between our two countries." ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] DP refuses to propose candidatures for RTA Committee

"The DP is against the way the Steering Committee is built and the information provided on the RTV and for this reason it will not propose the candidatures they are entitled to according to the law," said Minarolli at a meeting of the parliamentary media commission.

The chairman of this commission, Musa Ulqini (SP), opposed the democrat "boycott". He added that seven members of the Steering Committee proposed by the DP have resigned because their mandate has expired, therefore they should be replaced. /a.ke/mima/lm/

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

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