Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-11

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Prizren League - first pan-Albanian political organisation

[02] Albanian government has treated Kosova issue without nationalism, says Nano

[03] USD quoted at lek 153,60

[04] ENEL wants to rehabilitate Tirana electric grid

[05] Kukes ready to welcome refugees from Kosova

[06] SDP backs withdrawal of Montenegrin forces from Kosova

[07] 12 villages of Deçan emptied of residents

[08] Shkodra ready to host refugees from Kosova

[09] Albanian defence minister attends NATO meeting

[10] Gjinushi supports long-term solution of Kosova issue

[11] Albania's President Rexhep Meidani meets with German parliamentarians

[12] Albanian Prime Minister writes again to NATO Secretary General

[13] Albania's premier asks U.N. assistance in disarming population

[14] Centre-Right parties set forward platform of joint activities

[15] "We are here to cooperate for your country's stability and future" - Dhanapal

[16] Accommodation of Albanians coming from Kosova is an immediate problem - Fino

[17] 14 big enterprises to be converted into share holdings

[18] Tirana Bank applies new amount limits for bank accounts

[19] Albania asks from China and Russia greater understanding on Kosova

[20] Berisha asked to be investigated by prosecutor's office - Inquiry Commission

[01] Prizren League - first pan-Albanian political organisation

The Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano addressed the scientific conference on the 120nd anniversary of the league and called it "one of the most important days in the history of the Albanian nation" and "a lively testimony of the Albanians' survival, of their ability to found a state and affirm the national unity."

The League of Prizren was the political force with a clear platform and an organisation structure covering all the Albanian territories. It carried out important political, diplomatic, military, propagandistic and cultural activities, Nano said.

Nano considered the 120 years of the league "years of Albanian nationalism and a real school of cultivating the Albanian patriotism different from other patriotism in the Balkans."

Personalities of the Albanian historiography and participants in the conference said that "this political organisation comprised the most distinguished political, diplomatic and cultural figures of the Albanian nation."

Abdyl Frasheri, one of the main politicians of the league at the head of the Albanian delegation managed to defend before the big powers the national issue urging the recognition of the Albanian nation and state. s.s/ak/

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[02] Albanian government has treated Kosova issue without nationalism, says Nano

"We started the political process in Crete, continued it in Belgrade and Prishtina, but it was interrupted not for our fault and we passed from the table of talks to the fields of war," underlined Nano during this conference, invited were also senior personalities of the Albanian historiography.

Nano considered the tactics used by Milosevic in Kosova "the tactics of the scorched land and ethnic cleansing," while the dialogue started between Prishtina and Belgrade "frozen." The talks have been replaced with the fights," he said, "meanwhile that thousands of people have left their homes and are living as refugees."

"The Serbian national and communist fundamentalism has not changed, it is armed with tanks, missiles, terror, and old Balkan hatred," said the head of the Albanian government. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] USD quoted at lek 153,60

So $1 = 153,60 lek, gaining 0,50 points compared with yesterday's 153, 10 lek.

The DM was traded for 85,60 lek, gaining 0,50 points compared to yesterday's 86,10 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 87,00 lek lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 87,10 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,40 lek, gaining 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 50,30

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 153,60 lek DM 85,60 lek ITL (1000) 87,00 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,20 lek FRF 23,30 lek GBP 220,20 lek JPY (100) 110,80 lek NLG 75,90 lek

/gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ENEL wants to rehabilitate Tirana electric grid

The project to rehabilitate Tirana electric grid is estimated to cost $90 million, according to Albanian Energy Corporation (AEC) specialists.

ENEL has participated earlier in the improvement of Tirana power delivery network, carried out in two phases.

The rehabilitation was due to an Italian government grant of 25 billion lire. ENEL is ready to assume the responsibility of the third working phase.

But for the final implementation of the project, which will completely improve the supply and delivery network of power in Tirana city more financial sources are needed due to project's high costs.

Italian government is likely to inject 42 billion lire and the World Bank has expressed its readiness to finance too, but has demanded the continues collection of earnings from the power selling.

Also sources from AEC confirm that ENEL is expressed positively to sign this agreement to rehabilitate the Tirana electric grid. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Kukes ready to welcome refugees from Kosova

He said that two camps, one in the industrial area and the other in Kalimash 20 km from the city, have been built to accommodate the people from Kosova.

Some 15 thousand refugees from Kosova, where 90 percent of the population are Albanians, have fled Serb terror and have been settled in the Tropoja district, north Albania. mima/ak/

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[06] SDP backs withdrawal of Montenegrin forces from Kosova

The SDP leader Zarko Rakocevic said that a large number of recruits from Montenegro have been sent recently to Kosova. pta/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] 12 villages of Deçan emptied of residents

"The emptied villages, which are located in the border line between Kosova and Albania are Lubeniq, Lebushe, Decan, Carrabreg i Eperm and Ulet, Hulaj, Poberxhe, Voksh, Sllup, Drenoc and Prejlep.

Cacaj said that residents of these villages have not managed to bury the victims of Serb attacks and there is no report on the fate of around 400 Albanians who have been taken hostage by the Serb forces.

QIK said that a convoy with 29 loadtrucks were heading for Rreke e Keqe villages on Wednesday. pta/mima/ak/

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[08] Shkodra ready to host refugees from Kosova

The district council decided in a routine meeting on Wednesday to be prepared to host a possible flux of Kosova people who have arrived in northeastern area of Albania.

They decided to put two dormitories one of the Luigj Gurakuqi University and the other of the secondary pedagogical school, which can house some 1,800 persons, at the disposal of Kosova people.

Many businessmen and citizens have expressed their readiness to host the Kosova people and dozens of them have offered financial aid and material assistance.

A special office has been opened in the city to collect aid for the refugees.

The Shkodra-based "Kosova" cultural patriotic association has issued a press release calling on all the citizens of Shkodra, Puka and Malesi e Madhe to contribute financially and materially for the refugees. ake/ak/

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[09] Albanian defence minister attends NATO meeting

The meeting will focus on measures to cope with the Kosova situation and promotion of Partnership for Peace initiative. s.s/mima/ak/

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[10] Gjinushi supports long-term solution of Kosova issue

"The German parliament has payed special attention to the developments in Kosova and is doing the best, in cooperation with the international community, to reach a long-term solution of the Kosova matter," said Poppe during a meeting with the Albanian Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi.

Some 15. 000 refugees of Kosova (90% of Albania's population,) mainly women and children have come in Northern Albania fleeing the Serbian terror and violence.

"The tragic developments in Kosova, the bloodshed and the ethnic cleansing, carried out by the police and military forces of Milosevic against the Albanian population in Kosova, demand urgent operations of the international community and NATO," said Gjinushi.

The German delegation is in Albania for a few-day official visit.

Focusing on the developments in the country, Gjinushi said that the Albanian Parliament is working intensively to draft the project constitution according to international standards. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albania's President Rexhep Meidani meets with German parliamentarians

According to the President's press and information office, after praising the important role of the environmentalist movements, the President voiced the belief that their globalism would be a significant development in the future and spoke of the situation in Albania. He brought to the fore the most important problems with which the new Albanian institutions that emerged following the allround crisis of the past year, were facing.

With regard to the question of Kosove, President Meidani said that the international community may play an active role through its powerful presence in Kosove and Albania. "There is war in Kosove and politics should say it openly," and even mediate for its present and perspective settlement, said Meidani.

In reply to the interest of the German guests of the consequences of the Kosova question to Albania, President Meidani considered the situation as delicate and fraught with speculations of the daily policy in the name of pseudo-nationalism to the detriment of the stability in the country and in the region.

Also present in the meeting was the ambassador of FR of Germany in Tirane, Hanspeter Disdorn. /s.sh/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albanian Prime Minister writes again to NATO Secretary General

As the spokesman of the Premier Nano reports, the letter addressed to Mr Solana made a panorama of the present situation in Kosove. Nano writes that "the latest events in Kosove show that broad armed confrontations are taking place there between the Albanian population and the the Serb army troops which may lead to serious clashes with consequences for the regional stability."

Nano voices his concern over the tension created in northeast Albania where, as a result of the "ethnic cleansing operations in Kosove, nearly 15 000 Kosovars have arrived. The continuation of the conflict in Kosove and the increase of the number of the refugees fleeing the places in war towards Albania, has created the possibility for the transformation of the emotional state of the fled people to violent actions, to intensification of the arms and men smuggling, a potential danger for possible looting of the army depots and ammunition and the growth of crime, thus creating a hot bed of tension which is a threat to Albania."

Nano addresses Solana stressing the opinion that "a military NATO presence in Albania near the border with Kosova would serve the protection of stability of Albania and discourage and block the policy of violence of Milosevic in Kosove."

Concretely speaking, writes Nano, "we are for the realisation of a peace operation of the type Support to Diplomacy. We believe that this kind of operation will create the necessary climate and open the way to the political process for a solution to the Kosova issue, ends the letter of PM Nano. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania's premier asks U.N. assistance in disarming population

Nano, according to the Prime minister's spokesman, familiarised Dhanapal with the situation in Albania and the effects of the Kosova crisis.

Nano stressed that despite the government's attainments in stabilising public order, the spread weapons, due last year's crisis, pose a risk for Albania's future.

Since it came to power the government has taken a series of measures on disarmament which have resulted in collecting 20 per cent of the spread weapons and all the heavy arms.

Nano said that a National Strategy for Disarmament will soon be completed and presented for approval and, evaluating the U.N. experience in disarmament campaigns all over the world he asked the assistance of this organisation in this direction.

"We insist that this Programme be alternated with employment and training programmes for all those citizens who will hand in weapons".

Considering the situation in Kosova, Nano said that control on weapons and ammunition depots is a priority, which cannot be realised alone, and for this reason the assistance of the International Community is necessary.

Dhanapal said that the U.N. missions are studying the armament situation in Albania and will soon make a number of recommendations which will help as a basis for the project the U.N. plans to start in cooperation with the Albanian government regarding arms collection.

Dhanapal stressed that "I would personally ask from the political parties in Albania not to politicise the process of disarming the population as this is of national importance for a sure and peaceful future of Albania. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Centre-Right parties set forward platform of joint activities

"The platform of joint activities, set forward at the meeting, aims cooperation for the coming parliamentary elections campaign and co- governing after a possible victory of our coalition," Zef Bushati, head of the Christian-democrats, told ATA after the meeting.

The parties attending the meeting hailed the Legality Movement Party (LMP) which decided to stay in the ranks of this opposition grouping, following several opinions that it would quit this grouping.

They also stressed the indispensability that other opposition parties join this coalition.

Attending the meeting were representatives of CDP, LMP, SDUP, DUP. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] "We are here to cooperate for your country's stability and future" - Dhanapal

"We are here to cooperate with you for your country's stability and future", said Dhanapal, according to the Foreign Ministry press and information department.

Referring to the population's disarmament Dhanapal said that the U.N. has the support of the international community and certain governments for arms collection in Albania.

Milo said that the problem of arms collection is important for stability in Albania and the region, therefore you will find in the Albanian government a real partner on this issue.

He stressed that the government has taken all measures not to permit illegal arms trafficking from Albania to the neighbouring countries.

Referring to the difficult situation in Kosova Milo said that there will be no stability in the region unless the Kosova issue is correctly resolved. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Accommodation of Albanians coming from Kosova is an immediate problem - Fino

The spokeswoman of the Local Government Ministry reports that Fino focused especially on the completion of the legal framework to realised a larger decentralization of the local government and stressed that the signing of the Charter of Autonomy of the local government helps elevate the level of and consolidate these structures.

But an immediate problem to be solved is the accommodation of the refugees coming from Kosove to northern areas of Albania, said Fino. Despite the work made by the state to ease the situation, still there is a need for intervention by the international institutions and a better coordination of the work among the Government, UNHCR, OSCE office and various donating countries for this question.

During the meeting, the two senior officials agreed on the creation of a plenipotentiary structure centered in Bajram Curri, and directed by a plenipotentiary representative of the Government. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] 14 big enterprises to be converted into share holdings

Tirana, June 11 (ATA) - There are 14 state run enterprises under the auspices of Public Economy and Privatization ministry, which started procedures to be converted into share holdings.

This is the first step to proceed further in their complete privatization process.

This group includes enterprises involved in the garment, mechanical, timber and food stuff industries.

Sources from privatization department told ATA that in Korca town will be converted into share holdings shoe and garment factories, agricultural mechanical maintenance unit and the plant of high precision instruments, which until early '90 were known for their products in the local and foreign markets as well.

In Durres town will enter this process rubber, garment and furniture factories and the mechanic plant too.

Other state-owned enterprises in Vlora and Elbasani towns will became share holdings. This move is related with the fact that before entering the privatization process, these enterprises should manage to strengthen their situation through absorbing investments in order to become more productive.

At present the bulk of these enterprises have an aggravated financial situation due to the continuous misuse, but the renovation of legislation has paved the way to turn them into productive enterprises in the market economy situation./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Tirana Bank applies new amount limits for bank accounts

Until now the allowed minimal deposit amount in local currency "lek" has been 100,000 lek, while from now on the initial capital required to open up a bank account will be 50,000 lek.

This amount was applied only for banks' Fieri branch and not for Tirana and Durres branches.

Tirana Bank services are equal to other foreign international banks in Albania and abroad.

It accepts deposits of every kind and issue loans up to 12-month period.

At present it carries out transactions with the Bank of Albania, National Commercial Bank and the Savings Bank./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albania asks from China and Russia greater understanding on Kosova

Foreign Minister Paskal Milo stressed this in his separate meetings with the ambassador of China, Ma Weimao, and the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Tirana, Igor Saprikin, on Thursday.

According to the Foreign Ministry press and information department Milo said that the situation created can be evaded only by consensus, stressing that this is also necessary to give the necessary legal basis to the international factor to stop the use of violence and ethnic cleansing in Kosova and enable the stability of the Balkan region, where the crisis is becoming dangerous.

Milo said that "Although much is spoken of the possibility of the creation of negative precedents for other states, the Kosova issue constitutes a typical case which requires specific treatment."

The Chinese and Russian ambassadors, Ma Weimao and Igor Saptrikin, expressed concern at the events in Kosova and stressed that they would urgently convey the Albanian government's request to their governments. /s.sh/das/lm/

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[20] Berisha asked to be investigated by prosecutor's office - Inquiry Commission

According to the report, the state has hit the people during the revolts, the state of emergency has been unmotivated and SHIK has violated constitutional competence.

At the end, the Commission proposed to the Parliament that the following are politically and legally responsible and have violated Articles 26 and 28/1 of the Constitutional Provisions: Sali Berisha (former President,) Bashkim Gazidede (former SHIK chairman,) Safet Zhulali (former Defence Minister,) Adem Copani (former chief of the Army General Staff,) Halit Shamata (former Interior Minister,) Leonard Demi (former State Defence Secretary.) According to the report, the abovementioned must be further investigated by the prosecutor's office.

The DP Parliamentary group did not participate in today's plenary session because it does not recognize the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission. /s.s./das/xh/

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

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