Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-16

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] The news coming from Belgrade today is good news, says Vedrine

[02] Belgrade-Prishtine dialogue must not be for sake of appearances - Meidani

[03] Deputy Defence Ministers of NATO, PfP countries of Southeastern Europe to convene in Tirana on May 22

[04] France has cooperated and will cooperate with Albania - Vedrine

[05] Talks between two parties - hope for peaceful solution of Kosova issue, Nano

[06] Tirana Bank changes interest rates

[07] Albanian Prime Minister - optimistic after signing of agreement ESAF-2 with IMF

[08] Similar stance with French diplomacy in support of Rugova's policy - Nano

[09] Coordination committee discusses measures to fight contraband

[10] Albanian minister attends anniversary of World Trade Organisation

[11] Bezhani commission penalizes 81 persons out of three thousand

[12] Government approves nominations of six new deputy-ministers

[13] Meidani praises closeness in positions of all-Albanian intellectual and political thinking

[14] Islami and Dinosha hail Rugova-Milosevic meeting

[15] Results of 32nd week matches of soccer championship

[01] The news coming from Belgrade today is good news, says Vedrine

Vedrine told a joint news conference with his Albanian counterpart, Milo, that "the news coming from Belgrade today is good news."

"The persistence of the Contact Group seems to have given its results, " declared the French Foreign Minister.

Asked whether he would agree on a solution which would give Kosova the status of a Republic, Vedrine responded that "the Contact Group countries maintain the same stand regarding the solution of the crisis. These countries favour since times the idea that the current 'status quo' is unacceptable and only our efforts have not allowed the further precipitation of the situation. The Contact group has offered as solution a substantial autonomy."

While the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, said that his government has already made known its stand by declaring that the future of Kosova and its status should be defined by the Kosova people itself.

"But it would be an acceptable solution if Kosova wins the status of the third Republic within the Yugoslav Federation," said Milo.

The French Foreign Minister said that "the member countries of NATO have decided to carry out a precise study on the possible hypothesis to avoid the cases of precipitation of the situation." /s.s/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Belgrade-Prishtine dialogue must not be for sake of appearances - Meidani

"We must hope in a possible reflection to put an end to the old mentality of Belgrade for the solution of the Kosova question," said President Meidani to the French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine in the meeting they had on Friday in Tirane, the President's press office reports.

Mr Vedrine focused on the attention of France and other members countries of the Contact Group to keep the cohesion within the group and to continue the pressure on Belgrade for a democratic solution to the question of Kosove.

President Meidani and the French Minister Vedrine discussed the need of development of regional cooperation and especially of the economic progress of the region. Referring to the consolidation of the bilateral relations, President Meidani stressed the strengthening of the economic cooperation also with regard to a greater experience of the French school in Albania. /s.s./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Deputy Defence Ministers of NATO, PfP countries of Southeastern Europe to convene in Tirana on May 22

The meeting is the continuation of the ministerial meeting of Sofia held in October 1997 and precedes the ministerial meeting of Skopje due in October of this year.

Attending this meeting will be delegations from Albania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Rumania, Slovenia, Turkey, USA, NATO and OSCE. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] France has cooperated and will cooperate with Albania - Vedrine

The press and information department of the FM of Albania reports that considering the present stage of the bilateral relations as stable and rather good, the two ministers asked that this cooperation increase and consolidate more in the future. They highlighted the political cooperation between the governments of the two countries, considering it as a good premise for the further encouragement of the relations in other fields of mutual interests such as economic, cultural, educational, scientific, etc.

The Foreign Minister of Albania, Milo asked his French counterpart for encouragement of the French investments in Albania, introduction of French credits in the Albanian economy, reactivation of the joint inter- governemnt commission, to be materialised with the holding of its second session within 1998, cooperation in the banking system, etc.

With regard to these suggestions, Minister Vedrine said that France has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with Albania through a number of programs in the infrastructure, telecommunication, energy, etc.

After expressing his thanks to Mr Vedrine for the contribution that France has made and continues to make to the bilateral cooperation in the field of security and stability in Albania, Mr Milo presented the idea of a further cooperation in the military field.

With regard to the latest developments in Kosove, which took a special place in the talk, the two ministers hailed the beginning of the dialogue between the president of the FRY, Milosevic and the leader of the Albanians of Kosova, Rugova. They considered this as the first step for the settlement of the crisis in Kosove through political instruments.

Milo forwarded once again the stance of the Albanian Governent which is for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Kosove. He also asked the French Government that together with other governemnts of the Contact Group to continue their contribution to the resolution of the crisis in Kosove.

Hailing the moderate and positie stances of the Albanian Government regarding the crisis in Kosove, Minister Vedrine stressed that the political solution to the crisis through dialogue, must be supported and encouraged. Through unanimous acts of the Contact Group, which reflect a broad international stand, said Vedrine, "we must influence not only on Belgrade and Prishtine but also on all other factors in the region so that they offer their maximal contribution to a durable and stable solution to the crisis in Kosove." /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Talks between two parties - hope for peaceful solution of Kosova issue, Nano

"A necessary process of negotiations between the two parties have started to be institutionalized, which gives us hope for a peaceful solution of the Kosova problem, for a quieter future of the region in general and mainly for lowering of armed tensions in our state border," said Nano.

"However, we still respect our request for the intensification of cooperation with NATO and taking of a series of stabilizing measures in the terrain."

Nano said that the alternative of Rugova, which is also supported by Washington and the European Union (EU), is undoubtedly the most realistic and far-sighted for the future of Kosova. /s.sh/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Tirana Bank changes interest rates

Thus interest rates for 1 month deposits will drop from 21 and 25 percent to 20 and 22 percent, for 3 month deposits from 23 and 27 will drop to 22 and 26 percent, etc. Below will present a table with various interest rates deposits.

Deposit interest rate (%) per annum ---------------------------------------- ---------------------- Lek (all) ! sight acc! 1M ! 3M ! 6M ! 1Y --------------------------------------------------------------- 100,000- 500,000 ! 2 ! 20 ! 23 ! 23 ! 23 ---------------------------- ----------------------------------- 500,001-1,000,000 ! 2 ! 20 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ------------------------------------------------------------ --- 1,000,001-3,000,000 ! 4 ! 20 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ---------------- ------------------------------------------------ 3,000,001-6,000,000 ! 4 ! 21 ! 24 ! 25 ! 25 --------------------------------------------------- -------------- 6,000,001-10,000,000! 5 ! 21 ! 25 ! 25 ! 25 ----- ----------------------------------------------------------- over 10,000, 001 ! 6 ! 22 ! 26 ! 26 ! 26 --------------------------------- ----------------------------- Former interest rates

lek (all) !sight acc ! 1M ! 3M ! 6M ! 12M ------------------- --------------------------------------------- 100,000-500,000 ! 2 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 23 --------------------------------------------------- ------------- 500,001-1,000,000 ! 2 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ------ --------------------------------------------------------- 1,000,001-3,000, 000 ! 4 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ! 24 ------------------------------------ ---------------------------- 3,000,001-6,000,000 ! 4 ! 24 ! 25 ! 25 ! 25 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6, 000,001-10,000,000! 5 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! 27 ---------------------- ----------------------------------------- over 10,000,001 ! 6 ! 25 ! 27 ! 27 ! 27 ----------------------------------------------------- ------- Minimum deposit allowed is 100,000 lek.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albanian Prime Minister - optimistic after signing of agreement ESAF-2 with IMF

"Approval by IMF of midterm program for the Albanian Government and the signing of the ESAF-2 agreement is, without doubt, the most important event in the past 10 months of our governing," said Nano in his address to the meeting of the government on Friday.

On the basis of the agreement, signed on Wednesday, the IMF gives to the Albanian Government not only a direct financial support of about 50 million dollars for the balance of payments but also a guarantee for donors and other investors of Albania for a three-year period beginning from 1998.

According to Nano, after the signing of the ESAF-2, one of the principal tasks of the government is the rapid increase of the national production which would bring about a 10 per cent growth of the General Domestic Product (GDP) during 1998.

Nano also spoke of the indispensable need of reducing the inflation saying that they would work to lower the prices the normal parameters. It is envisaged that the prices be 10 per cent lower in 1998 and about 3 per cent lower in 2001.

The Premier said that the budgetary deficit will be reduced to nearly 6.6 per cent during 1998, from 11 per cent in 1997.

Nano pointed out also a number of other structural reforms to be carried out over the coming three years, forecast by ESAF-2 program.

According to him, the ESAF-2 agreement is also conditioned with the elimination of the pyramid investment schemes through putting them under the full control of the administers and the distribution of their assets as soon as possible through a law approved by the government and which will passed by the Parliament soon.

"The number of budgetary working people must be at the level we have determined, hence, 1345 thousand people until the coming September," said Nano, focusing on the institutional reform.

He added that no exceptions will be made to the payment of the value- added tax during the period that ESAF-2 will be applied.

The Albanian Premier spoke on the reform to be carried out in the banking system, the other reforms which have to do with the restructuring and further privatization of the economy, etc. /s.sh/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Similar stance with French diplomacy in support of Rugova's policy - Nano

As the Premier's spokesman reports, Nano said that "we have continuously demanded that Milosevic be personally committed to the process of changing the present status of Kosova, and, at the same time, we must insist that the holding of the coming negotiations be accompanied with strong measures for the stabilization of the situation by the International Community, beginning with the withdrawal of the military and police troops from Kosova. We stick to the idea of a Republic established in the framework of the Federation which must be negotiable between the parties in the talks. He added that Belgrade must accept the presence of the mediators who are now determined by the International Community.

Nano guaranteed that the Albanian Government should work with all its energies to keep the territories of the Albanian state out of the conflict despite a number of provocations by set groups, which want its involvement in the situation of an armed conflict. In order to avoid the conflict, said the Albanian Prime Minister, we have demanded the presence of the international security organizations such as NATO and WEU, which must step up their military exchanges and joint training with our troops."

In reply to the interest of Mr Vedrine in this regard, Mr Nano added that all possible ways among which weapons and provocative elements, that may come near the border with Kosova, are now strictly controlled by Albanian police and forces.

The French Foreign Minister considered the policy of the Albanian Government as rather mature and moderate adding that this policy has had its impact not only to the parties involved in the crisis but also in all the meetings of various levels of the Contact Group and broader. Today's meeting in Belgrade is a positive step especially for the fact that it will fix the negotiations at federal levels represented by Milosevic.

So far, said Vedrine, the Contact Group has determined the general framework of the drives for Kosova but the concrete lines will be determined in the future along with the discussion for the status of Kosove.

The two men also discussed at length the bilateral relations between Albania and France. They spoke of a number of initiatives which have to do with the encouragement of the French business and investments in Albania and the support that the Government of Mr Jospin may give to the Albanian culture and education in particular during the coming year, which, as the Prime Minister said, would be the year of Albanian education. /s.sh./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Coordination committee discusses measures to fight contraband

The press and information department close to the Council of Ministers said that the deputy PM Fino distributed a draft reporting the work of the committee, the difficulties and actual problems it was facing.

Fino asked the participants to avoid red tape procedures, which in a way enabled an increase of criminality. He asked the respective bodies to urge swifter and merciless methods against persons who organise and help contraband.

Fino, speaking for the committee, thanked the XXI Division and especially its chief Natalina Cea, for their assistance to the Albanian customs houses. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian minister attends anniversary of World Trade Organisation

The Albanian delegation will also take part in the second session of a WTO ministerial conference in Geneva from May 18 to 19.

The Albanian government has gained the organisation's status of observer in the 1994. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Bezhani commission penalizes 81 persons out of three thousand

Head of the commission Nafiz Bezhani told a press conference on Saturday the number of "the impure" in state institutions at a time when the scrutiny in the state institutions would finish within 10 or 15 days.

The figures include all the main institutions such as presidency, council of ministers, parliament, national information service, interior ministry, Albanian radio television and Albanian telegraphic agency.

"Four deputies at the Albanian parliament, two from the Unity for Democracy and two from the Socialist party, have been collaborators of the state Sigurimi. They cannot be penalized not only because they enjoy the immunity but they are not affected by the scrutiny law.

He said that one of the deputies of the Unity for Democracy, which had collaborated with the Sigurimi under the pseudonym Perpeleku for about 10 years and had been persecuted with the whole family by the regime.

"This helps him not to be penalized," Bezhani said.

Bezhani said that "the parliament and the Council of Ministers, including the newly-appointed deputy ministers resulted totally pure."

He added that one or two persons in the ministries had been penalized while the employees of the Albanian Radio Television and Albanian Telegraphic Agency passed the scrutiny test. s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Government approves nominations of six new deputy-ministers

Follow the new deputy ministers: 1. Ilir Boçka, deputy minister of Defence 2. Ilirian Cano, deputy minister of Public Order 3. Pëllumb Hoxha, deputy minister of Public Affairs and Transportation

4. Teuta Cata, deputy minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade

5. Selim Dedej, deputy minister of Agriculture and Food 6. Fatmir Brahimi, deputy minister of Health /s.sh./das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Meidani praises closeness in positions of all-Albanian intellectual and political thinking

Meidani stressed the importance of contacts and closiness in the positions of all-Albanian intellectual and political thinking for the good of the national cause and reconciliation, according to the president's press and information office.

The Academies of Sciences in Tirana and Prishtine will realise the theoretic platform for holding a National Convention, to which the Albanians of Montenegro will render their contribution.

Meidani expressed himself in favour of encouraging participation in the state administration of the Albanians residing beyond the border, as a possibility to exploit the democratic possibilities in realising their own rights.

Dinosha expressed the desire to develop the relations between Albania and Montenegro and familiarised Meidani with the situation of the Albanians in this republic.

He said that the participation of the Albanians in the montenegrin state administration is very small in relation to the population.

Dinosha asked that the two sides create the possibility to help in the field of Albanian education and development of economic relations.

Meidani pointed to the need of expanding contacts between the two countries. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Islami and Dinosha hail Rugova-Milosevic meeting

The media and information department of the Council of Ministers reports that Islami and Dinosha discussed the situation in Kosova and regarded the philosophy of confronting the opponents at the round table of talks as a new philosophy and with great international support.

Dinosha briefed Islami on the situation of the Albanians in Montenegro, problems of Albanians' education there, their organisation in Albanian national parties and their efforts to integrate into the governmental structures.

At the end of the meeting, the two raised the need of intensifying governmental cooperation and that between the parties. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Results of 32nd week matches of soccer championship

Besa - Albpetrol 4-0

Laçi - Tirana 0-3

Teuta - Flamurtari 1-0

Partizani - Dinamo 2-3

Sopoti - Bylis 3-0

Vllaznia - Tomori 1-0

Elbasani - Skenderbeu 4-1

Lushnja - Shkumbini 4-0

Shqiponja - Apolonia 3-0

Standings:

Vllaznia 71

Tirana 62

Partizani 61

Teuta 53

Apolonia 49

Shkumbini 48

Elbasani 46

Laçi 45

Tomori 44

Lushnja 44

Skenderbeu 42

Bylis 42

Dinamo 41

Besa 41

Flamurtari 40

Shqiponja 37

Sopoti 35

Albpetrol 19

After the end of the 32nd week of the championship, the "Vllaznia" team of Shkoder, with its victory on Saturday, is the winner of the 59th national soccer championship two weeks before its end.

With the crowning of the 1997-1998 season, the "Vllaznia" team wins the national championship for the 8th time. /A.KE/das/lm/

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

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