Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Kosovars continue to reach Tropoje

[02] Albanian deputy Premier visits Kosova refugees in Tropoje

[03] No influx of Kosova refugees in Has

[04] Albanian Government reports of the measures adopted to assist refugees from Kosova

[05] The United Right Wing hails reelection of Ermenji chairman of Balli Kombetar

[06] SP promises fair and free local elections

[07] Majko opposes extraordinary congress proposed by Pellumbi

[08] State shares to be privatized in joint ventures

[09] USD quoted at lek 154,20

[10] Fortune Games earn money, don't pay taxes

[11] Road maintenance enterprises included in privatization process

[12] Public work projects law to undergo changes

[13] Rehabilitation of Tirana roads network delayed

[14] Albania president to sign BSEC charter

[15] Nano reaffirms Albania's commitment to resolve Kosova crisis

[16] Guardia di Finanza intercepts dinghies with Albanians aboard

[17] Routine Prishtine-Belgrade talks questioned

[18] Health Ministry takes measures in aid of refugees from Kosova

[19] Supreme court rejects claim of former constitutional head

[20] Unidentified persons shot and wounded former Radio TV director

[21] Possessor of narcotics detained

[22] LDK demands NATO deployment in Kosove

[23] Prishtine-Belgrade talks suspended

[24] Concert by Kosova singer Ilir Shaqiri in Librazhd

[25] Germany to make its contribution to settlement of Albanian question in Kosove

[26] Policy of war by Milosevic is undermining chances for solution to the conflict in Kosove through dialogue - Meta

[01] Kosovars continue to reach Tropoje

"The number of the refugees is more than 1000 and it keeps rising. Hence, at about 8.45 p.m. local authorities have been informed of some hundreds of Kosovars arriving in village Padesh" Secretary of the district Council Isa Kuliqi told ATA.

In the mean time, the villages of the commune of Tropoje are packed with refugees, and the local government leaders are directing them to the communes of Bujan and Margegaj.

A 24-hour service is established in the district council of Tropoje and a lot of reports are arriving especially from the border zones. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian deputy Premier visits Kosova refugees in Tropoje

Deputy Premier Fino assured Kosova refugees that the Albanian state will take all measures to accommodate them.

Members of the delegation were the Minister of Public Order, Perikli Teta, the Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo and Minister of Agriculture, Lefter Xhuveli.

In the meeting in Bajram Curri (centre of Tropoje) with local authorities, Fino said that the local government must present all demands for everything needed to face the new situation.

Those in the meeting expressed the idea of camps to be created to face the emergent situation. /a.ke/mima/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] No influx of Kosova refugees in Has

Various sources said that there were scores of people who had reached the villages of Letaj and Vlane, on the border, yesterday and today, and they have been accommodated in their relatives.

The director of the town hospital, Kadri Gjeci, told ATA that they were concerned of the medicaments which are in shortage. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Albanian Government reports of the measures adopted to assist refugees from Kosova

"The wave of refugees started on April 22, 1998 when the first 22 refugees, mainly women and children, were registered but there were nearly 1 000 others who were not registered," said Bashkim Fino, deputy Premier and minister of Local Government.

Thousands of Albanian refugees of Kosove (with a 90 per cent Albanian population) most of them women, children, elderly and wounded have been sheltered in Northern Albania to escape Serb violence which has ruined their dwelling areas.

Fino said that around 8 000 people may be accommodated in dormitories, while for the rest tents will be erected.

According to Fino, Albania may give shelter to 20 000 comers. Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said in the parliament that all Albanian embassies in European countries have informed the governments of their countries of the situation created following the arrival of Kosovars to Albania.

"The Albanian Government demands urgent meeting of the foreign ministers of the Contact Group and not of political directors to discuss the emergent situation in Albania and the situation in Kosove," said Milo, who confirmed on Thursday that the Political Director of the German Foreign Ministry will come to Albania to go to Northeastern part of the country.

The SP parliamentary group chairman Pandeli Majko asked that a group of 20 deputies go to Tropoje to see the situation on the spot.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Lufter Xhuveli spoke of the measures adopted to provide food for the refugees. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] The United Right Wing hails reelection of Ermenji chairman of Balli Kombetar

In a news conference today, leaders of the United Right described the reelection of Ermenji to the post of the BK chairman as a rapprochement with and acceptance of Balli Kombetar in the United Wing, the relations with which were frozen three months ago.

In the latest 9th congress of BK, Abaz Ermenji stated that his party will remain in the political formation of the United Right Wing.

This grouping voiced the concern for the grave situation in Kosove as a result of the Serb violence and terror and urged the Albanian Government to be more energetic in defence of the national question.

Leaders of the parties, members in the United right Wing, voiced reserves with regard to the coming electoral campaign for the partial local polls due on June 21, saying that the Government coalition is not respecting the small opposition parties. This, according to them, consists in the fact that the grouping is allowed only 15 minute time campaign on TV. Members of the United right Wing are the Republican Party, the Right Democratic Party, the Conservative Party, the Movement for Democracy party. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] SP promises fair and free local elections

The SP organizational secretary, Petro Koci, voiced in a news conference his belief that the partial local polls will mark a qualitatively different result from that of the general local elections held in October 20, 1996.

"SPA, in the context of the 'Alliance for the State' believes in the victory of these elections, because the present alternative of the government coalition remains the most preferable for the Albanian electorate," writes a SP declaration distributed in the news conference.

Koci said that the signing of the European Charter for Local Autonomy by Albania within period of 10 months of governing by the democratic coalition, an act not realised before due to the centralizing mentality of the five-year governing of the party of Sali Berisha, the legal guarantee of an important financial autonomy marked the nearing of the government towards the control and will of the Albanian citizen.

Members of the Alliance for the State are the parties of the government coalition SP, SDP, DAP, AP, HRUP and NUP. /A.KE/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Majko opposes extraordinary congress proposed by Pellumbi

"I don't think that the congress is a solution to a number of questions which are of concern for the SP. This because in essence, there is not any conflict in the SP presidency with regard to adoption of the necessary decisions, as a guarantee to the solution of the problems," said Majko to ATA on Wednesday, following the publication in Zeri i Popullit of a letter that Pellumbi sent to the General Leading Council of the Socialist Party.

In his letter, Pellumbi criticized high forums of SP for separation from the grass-roots of this party and demanded the holding of an Extraordinary Congress.

According to Majko, the publication of Pellumbi's letter in the SP paper is normal, because "this avoids speculation and is an expression of the open debate in the ranks of the party. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] State shares to be privatized in joint ventures

Five joint ventures are encompassed in the privatization process, which will be conducted under the supervision of MEPP.

Two of them are in Tirana town, "Garment Enterprise" and "Albdiadra", while in Korca town tother joint ventires "Europleksis" and "Korca Tekst" will enter this process. In Elbasani town will be privatized the state- owned shares of "Katel" company.

Under the auspecies of Public Works and Transport ministry 13 joint ventures will enter the privatization process. These joint ventures are "Albeton", "Alban Konstruksion", "Albit Mermer", "Superbeton" and "Italba ndertime te pergjithshme" in Tirana.

In Peqini town there is "Euroterma", in Shkodra town there is "Gjeneral Konstruksion" and "Gju-Ba-Mar", in Vlora, "Siav Konstruksion" in Lushnje "Volalba", in Muhur "Italb-mermer" and in Gjirokastra town "Market Petra". /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] USD quoted at lek 154,20

So $1 = 154,20 lek, lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 155, 20 lek.

The DM was traded for 86,30 lek, lossing 1,00 points compared to yesterday's 87,30 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 87,50 lek lossing 1,10 points compared with yesterday's 88,60 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,40 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,50

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on.

Thursday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 154,20 lek DM 86,30 lek ITL (1000) 87,50 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,20 lek FRF 23,10 lek GBP 220,20 lek JPY (100) 111,10 lek NLG 75,20 lek /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Fortune Games earn money, don't pay taxes

According to him the number of poker games clubs would be up to 600. Figures are not very reliable because some clubs shut down their activity, more others open up without paying state taxes.

Fortune games owners should pay a monthly income tax of 20,000 for each poker booth.

According to Tahiri in collaboration with the financial police forces is being worked to identify those subjects who don't have licenses to exercise their commercial activity.

Until now Tirana taxes agents have sequestered seven fortune games.

A better view is presented regarding Bingo games, where in Tirana there are 14 of them. For such activities owners should pay the state 40 percent of their monthly income tax including the Value Added Tax.

In spite of spread out of Fortune Games and Bingos in Albania the collection of revenues from them is still on average levels. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Road maintenance enterprises included in privatization process

Sources from the Privatization Department at the ministry of Public Economy and Privatization reported Thursday that the Export Enterprise and Communication and Supply Enterprise in Durres city will be privatized.

Also the vessels a-10/2, B-500/11 and Pas 42/2 will enter the privatization process.

Services and Transport Enterprise in Tirana will be privatized alongside with slabs factory NEFINKS, while in Vlora town are included in this process the Porti i Ri construction enterprise.

Worth mentioning is the inclusion in the privatization process of road maintenance enterprises in some districts of Albania as in Kavaje, Kukes, Lezhe, Mirdide, Kurbin, Fushe-Kruje and Burrel. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Public work projects law to undergo changes

According to sources from the ministry of Labour and Social Affairs soon is expected an amendment on the law for public works. Based on it, the public works projects will not be drafted only by the local power organs.

Besides them projects can be presented by state run enterprises, private ones and Non Governmental Organizations.

Currently projects of public works are drafted by local power organs and approved by them in cases when their value is up to 2,000,000 lek.

When their value mounts to 5,000,000 lek the projects are approved by the National Labour Council and when the value surpasses 5,000,000 lek they under the competencies of Public Works State Committee.

Again according to sources from the ministry of Labour training courses will be conducted for local power organs and labour offices, also through a publicity campaign will be alerted local power organs, enterprises and NGOs to draft public works' projects. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Rehabilitation of Tirana roads network delayed

"If after one week they don't reach the working parameters, the contract will be dissolved," Gaqo Apostoli, minister of Transport told six commissioned companies.

Some 60 million lek are allocated from state budget to mend Tirana road's network. Works should conclude within three months but the current pace delays the accomplishment of the task. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albania president to sign BSEC charter

Heads of states and governments of participating countries will sign the charter of this regional organisation which is a fundamental document defining the objective, structures, way of organisation and its function as well as BSEC relations with other international organisation such as the European Union, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations and others.

This final document, which will be ratified by parliaments of member countries, crowns the six-year efforts of the founding countries of the Initiative of Black Sea Economic Cooperation by turning it into an important organisation of regional cooperation.

The Albanian delegation also includes the Foreign minister Paskal Milo and head of the Albanian delegation in BSEC Servet Pellumbi.

President Meidani was expected to have bilateral meetings with Ukraine president, Turkish president, Greek prime minister, Romanian president, the Bulgarian president and others.

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation group (BSEC) comprises Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Moldova. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Nano reaffirms Albania's commitment to resolve Kosova crisis

Nano, in a letter sent to the leader of the Albanians of Kosova, Ibrahim Kosova, praises the diplomatic contacts of Rugova with U.S. president Bill Clinton and other senior U.S. and European authorities.

"The road pursued by Belgrade, which is the road of war and ethnic cleansing, which openly runs counter to our joint will to resolve the Kosova issue through political means, as requested by the international community, shows the adventurism of the policy of Serb chauvinism, which has no future," says Nano.

Thousands of Albanian refugees from Kosova (90 per cent of the population is Albanian) mostly women, children, old people and injured have been sheltered in Northern Albania to escape the Serbian violence, which has destroyed their homes.

"The Kosovars, leaving their lands and houses under the threat of Serbian arms, have now arrived in Albania and their number keeps increasing", says Nano.

Albania's Prime Minister, in yesterday's meeting of the government, said that the Albanian government in cooperation with the specialised international organisations will ensure the supply of the Kosova refugees with food, medicine and clothes.

In conclusion, Nano invites president Rugova to Tirana "to more concretely discuss the problems preoccupying us this very delicate moment facing the Kosova people and the entire Albanian nation". /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Guardia di Finanza intercepts dinghies with Albanians aboard

"The dinghies which left Vlora Bay were intercepted by the patrol motorboats of Guardia di Finanza some 4 to 7 miles from the shore. The dinghies refused to obey calls of the Guardia di Finanza forces and started to navigate on full speed risking the lives of those on board. The patrol motorboats managed to return them to the shore," the spokesman said.

The Italian-Albanian mission of Guardia di Finanza is successfully working for the last six months in the framework of the Italian INTERFORCE mission to fight goods and people trafficking. Forces of the Customs Assistance mission on Sea (CAMSEA) have joined the mission on May 25 to help fight sea contraband. mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Routine Prishtine-Belgrade talks questioned

"I do not think the meeting will take place," said one of the Kosova negotiating team members.

After a closed door meeting yesterday, the Kosova negotiating group said that "the continuation and intensification of the operations of the armed forces of the so-called FRY in a large part of Kosova which are causing numerous victims among the population, destruction of dwelling places, massive displacement of the Albanian population, an expression of Serbia's main intention of ethnic cleansing, makes the negotiation process difficult."

"These acts of Serbia throw doubt upon the declaration of the Yugoslav and Serbian side on the solution of the Kosova issue through negotiations and leads to the conclusion that the FRY and Serbia want to impose a forceful solution, exploiting the process of talks as a cover.

The negotiating group considers almost impossible that the routine meeting planned for June 5 will be held under such conditions. It considers that the dramatic worsening of the situation in Kosova requires an urgent reaction by the U.S., Contact Group and the U.N. Security Council. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Health Ministry takes measures in aid of refugees from Kosova

A meeting held by the Health Ministry Emergency Commission today made known that the ministry will address to all local and foreign foundations and organisations for humanitarian aid in medicine, food and clothes for the Kosova refugees.

Minister Leonard Solis, present in the meeting, asked that a short and medium term strategy be drawn up for the vaccination of the refugees against polio, and other contagious diseases.

Meanwhile, measures have been taken that the University Hospital Centre in Tirana be put on the high alert to cope with a possible flood of refugees.

The "Catholic Sisters" organisation, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, sent three truck-loads of aid, especially children's clothes, to Tropoje this morning. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Supreme court rejects claim of former constitutional head

"The college of lawyers, which considered Gjata's claim, held that the decision of parliament is an administrative act and as such the court could not pronounce on it, a spokesman of the court said.

Former head of the Constitutional Court Gjata had recently sued the parliament for its decision which, according to him, was illegal.

Gjata had been at the head of the Constitutional Court since 1992.

The Commission on Scrutiny of Figures of senior officials said that Gjata resulted "impure" as he had voluntarily collaborated with former state Sigurimi. The Albanian parliament voted on March 14 this year for his dismissal. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Unidentified persons shot and wounded former Radio TV director

A spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said to ATA that Pollo was travelling with a "Mitsubishi" together with Azem Hajdari and Vili Minarolli, deputies of the Democratic party, in the "Partizani" quarter at 22. 45. p.m.

"Ministry of Order, based on preliminary reports, has informed the deputy Hajdari on the risk of travelling to Tropoja but he refused to listen to," the spokesman said. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Possessor of narcotics detained

The spokesman of the district police commissariat told ATA that on Thursday before noon, Melli was arrested because police found in his home 15 kg of packed and pressed canabis sativa. The detained had previously served prison term for theft.

Melli is the third person detained this year for drug-trafficking in Devoll. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] LDK demands NATO deployment in Kosove

A communique published on this occasion by the LDK, says that NATO is "the only efficient possibility to stop the Serb aggression, to prevent ethnic cleansing of Kosove and to create the premises for a peaceful settlement of the question of Kosove." The LDK presidency condemns the Serb militarist act which is claiming numerous lives, causing incalculable material damage, and the implementation of the Serb doctrine of ethnic cleansing of Kosove, the communique stresses. Further on it writes that "the shelling and attacks against Albanian towns and villages aim at creating a corridor between Kosove and Albania, a permanent objective of Serb hegemony." The LDK presidency also denounces the arrests and imprisonments of political and humanitarian activists by the Serb regime. p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Prishtine-Belgrade talks suspended

Agani said that the escalation of the Serb violence against civil population, especially in the zone of Decan, contrary to the spirit of the talks held so far, and the complete isolation of the areas where violence is being exerted, and where even the representative of the negotiating group was not allowed to go, make the continuation of the negotiations, envisaged for tomorrow, impossible. He said that the talks might continue after violence comes to an end, the sealed-off areas are opened, movement to them becomes possible, along with the real valuation of the situation created there. Agani added that the substantial consideration on the necessary measures in the field of security, which would be the topic for the coming negotiations, should start as soon as possible. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Concert by Kosova singer Ilir Shaqiri in Librazhd

"I have recited in this concert as rarely before. This makes me feel myself Albanian. There is bloodshed beyond the border, our blood is being shed. This is what the politicians must understand and not quarrel with one another," artist Roshi told ATA.

"Kosova remains the most beloved and affectionate to us," said artist Xhepa.

While Arbana said that "it was a concert which must be given also to other cities of Albania. Let us unite, all Albanians must get together because we have been separated, and the blame for this rests with the politicians." a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Germany to make its contribution to settlement of Albanian question in Kosove

According to the press and information department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry, Ischinger voiced his concern for the influx of Albanians of Kosova to Albania. He also expressed the readiness of Germany to make its contribution to the international diplomacy for the settlement of the Albanian question in Kosove and to assist Albania in dealing with the arrival of Kosova Albanians.

The talk focused on the opinions of the Albanian government regarding the escalation of the situation in Kosove and the measures it has adopted for the refugees from Kosova. Meta said that the Albanian government, also in cooperation with specialised international structures, is making efforts to face the great influx of the refugees from Kosova, but in the present limited conditions of Albania, this job is very difficult.

Meta asked from the German Government, both in the context of NATO and that of the Contact Group, to influence in the adoption of concrete and emergent steps to stop the war in Kosove and the pressurize Belgrade through economic sanctions and militarily.

Ischinger said that "we shall insist that coercive measures be applied towards Belgrade, be it through the Contact Group or through NATO."

The two interlocutors voiced the support of their respective governments for the efforts of Mr Rugova and his collaborators to find a solution to the conflict through peaceful means. a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Policy of war by Milosevic is undermining chances for solution to the conflict in Kosove through dialogue - Meta

According to the press and information office of the Foreign Ministry of Albania, Meta informed the ambassadors of the worsening of the situation in Kosove as a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing which Milosevic is implementing there and of its consequences actually felt in Albania.

Meta briefed the ambassadors of the Albanians of Kosova fleeing to Albania and their rising number and the measures the Albanian government is adopting to accomodate them.

He demanded from the international community to mediate as soon as possible in forcing Milosevic to renounce the policy of war. In this context, he continued, Premier Nano sent a letter to Mr Solana for acts on the part of NATO and for its presence in the region.

The Albanian government, said Meta, has sent messages to the foreign ministers of the Contact Group countries to convene as soon as possible at the highest level to reconsider their approach in the conditions of the aggravation of the situation in Kosove.

Meta highlighted the contribution that Russia and China might make through their direct efforts, and through international organizations, to stop the conflict in Kosove. /s.s./das/xh/

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