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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-16Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Albania Foreign Minister to participate in U.N. conference for establishment of International Criminal Court in RomeTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo left Monday for Rome where he will take part in the conference organized by the United Nations Organization for the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC).The agenda of this visit also includes a meeting with the U.N. Secretary General, Kofi Annan. The talks of this meeting are expected to be focused on the crisis in Kosova, the current situation in Albania and others. /a.ke/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Ship, loaded with smuggling cigarettes, detainedTIRANA, June 16 (ATA) - Today, at 2:30, the customs bodies detained in the Albanian territorial waters a ship loaded with smuggling cigarettes. The ship, according to preliminary reports of the General Department of Customs, is escorted to the port of Durres where it is expected to arrive at 9:00. Sources from this customs-house told ATA that some 18 containers with some 120-150 tonnes of cigarettes inside them are supposed to be loaded in the ship. /a.gj/mt/Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Application of "Fassino" package starts in VloreVLORE, June 15 (ATA) - By H. Koci: The implementation of "Fassino" package" started in Vlore. "The preparation and introduction to the Ministry of Labour and Social Assistance of the documentation for 330 persons, of whom 36 families with children up to 14 years old, is the beginning of this action, which will end in June 20," the director of the employment office, Sejmen Gjokoli, told ATA.He added that this number will reach some 500 persons. Gjokoli explained that among them there are families without houses or with more than 6 persons, who will profit aid from the Italian government. For the repatriation of the persons, involved in the exodus of last spring towards Italy, the Italian deputy Foreign Minister, Fassino, undertook an initiative and for this reason the package was named "Fassino." According to it, the Italian government would give 600.000 and 300.000 liras to any adult and child returning to Albania. The deadline of this package is June 28 of this year. /a.ke/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Albanian prime Minister meets KFW representativesTIRANE, June 15 (ata) - Albanian PM Fatos Nano had Monday a meeting with representatives of the German Investment Bank, KFW.The PM's spokesman said that Nano expressed his thanks to the German senior officials who signed on Monday an agreement which creates possibilities for the German foundation Fefad to credit up to 10 million DM for small and medium businesses in Albania, and considered as encouraging the fund to be credited by the German government. Nano said that the agreement will open the way to investments which were interrupted because of the events of the past year. PM Nano also promised further support for the German foundation and the creation of a German bank in Albania, which is envisaged to help directly the Albanian economy. The NATO mediation in the conflict in Kosove will be another guarantee to the defence of the regional markets and the attraction of foreign investments in Albania, PM Nano pointed out. Representatives of the German Bank congratulated the Albanian government for the achievements attained so far in the aspect of the economic, financial reforms and the establishment of the political stability in Albania. /a.ke/das/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Sweden ready to expand cooperation with Albania in the military and other fieldsTIRANE, June 15 (ata) - The Swedish Minister of Defence, Bjorn Fon Sydow and the delegation he leading in a visit to Albania met in Tirane last Monday with the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the State Secretary for European Integration, Ilir Meta, etc.The press and information department of the Foreign Ministry told ATA that the situation in Kosove and its consequences in Albania, in the whole region and broader, were some of the problems extensively discussed in the meeting. "The situation is actually very difficult and can degenerate further more if military operations of Belgrade in Kosove are not immediately stopped," said Milo. Speaking for the beginning of NATO air exercises in Albania, Milo pointed out that Albania has longsince demanded the application by the international community of a restraining policy on Belgrade, including the NATO military pressure. "This pressure must be felt in the hearth of the conflict in order to have full effect," said Milo, adding that "it seems that the Balkans will need a 'second Dayton.'" The Swedish Defence Minister Sydow voiced the readiness of his government to expand cooperation with Albania in the military field and in other fields of interest. He underlined that Sweden is ready to cooperate with Albania also in the field of European integrating policies. Praising the influence of the air military exercises of NATO in Albania in solving the crisis in Kosove and protecting the security and peace in the region, Sydow said that Sweden will step up its cooperation with and contribution to UNPREDEP (U.N. Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia) and in the Partnership For Peace program." /a.ke/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Senior officers of Ioannina division in GjirokasterGJIROKASTER, June 16 (ata) - By H Cani: Greek senior officers of the division of Ioannina met on Monday in Gjirokaster with their counterparts of the division Laberia to discuss a number of questions related with the bilateral military cooperation.The Greek delegation was led by the commander of the division, Grigoris Pendopulos. The visit of the senior Greek militaries of Ioannina was in exchange of a visit some weeks ago by the highest ranking officers of the division of Gjirokaster. The commander of the 5th Division of Infantry of Gjirokaster, General Anastas Gurma told ATA that "in the meeting we discussed questions of military cooperation and some issues related mainly with border regime and the Greek aid for the Albanian Army." The senior officials of the two divisions also paid homages to the graves of the Greek soldiers killed in the Italian-Greek war. /s.s./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] USD quoted at lek 154,40Tirana, June 16 (ATA) - Tuesday's average exchange rate in the informal market of Albanian currency "lek" against foreign currencies like USD, DM, SFR, ITL was in favour of these last.So $1 = 154,40 lek, gaining 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 153, 40 lek. The DM was traded for 86,00 lek, gaining 0,70 points compared to yesterday's 85,30 lek. The ITL (1000) was traded for 87,30 lek gaining 0,30 points compared with yesterday's 87,00 lek. GRD (100) was exchanged for 51,40 lek, gaining 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 50,40 The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on. Tuesday exchange rates Currency Average exchange rates USD 154,40 lek DM 86,00 lek ITL (1000) 87,30 lek GRD (100) 51,40 lek SFR 103,50 lek FRF 23,20 lek GBP 220,60 lek JPY (100) 110,70 lek NLG 75,90 lek /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Symphonic performance held in ButrintSARANDE, June 15 (ATA) - By Sh. Hajno: The antique temples of Butrint were woken up by the sounds of the classic music. A performance of the Theater of Operas and Ballet in Tirana, under the direction of the renowned conductor, Paolo Olmi, was held Monday in the antique city of Butrint (Southern Albania, close to Saranda,) in the stepping-stones of the amphitheatre belonging to 6th Century B.C. Along with the local art-loving people and authorities of local government, there were also more than 30 foreign journalists (mainly Italians and Austrians,) diplomats accredited in Tirana, personalities of the British foundation "Butrinti," and others.The solist of the performance, the renowned Italian flutist, Andrea Griminelli, played parts from Moxart. "On behalf of the cultures which join peoples with one another, let this performance be an honour to all the victims of the northern part of the country," said the Albanian Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Edi Rama, in the opening address. This performance was initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Italian Embassy in Tirana and the Coca-Coal company, which was the only one that sponsored this activity. At the end of the show, Minister Rama said that the idea initiated here is to go towards the Balkan Festival of Symphonic Orchestras and also to organize other international activities in Butrint. /a.ke/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] New accusation to former Interior Minister ShehuTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: A new accusation has been added to the file of Agim Shehu, Interior Minister in the previous government, that for the mobilization of some 100 guard-men beyond the competence with the pretext of the emergency.The military attorney general, Aleksander Goga, told ATA on Monday that the persons mobilized during the spring of last year are generally anonymous and in the list it was registered the name, surname, rarely the name of the father and in no case the address. The district prosecutor's office of Tirana handed over the file of Shehu to the military prosecutor's office in Tirana last week. The new accusation is added to Shehu after that for non handing over his pistol and abuse of armament. Agim Shehu left Albania without carrying out the obligations envisaged by law. Along with the personal pistol, he has also taken another pistol, a sniper and other armament. After the examination of the arrest form issued by the Tirana Court, the military prosecutor's office will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Order for his extradition in Albania. Shehu left Albania after the June 29 elections in 1997. /s.s/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Some 100 000 Albanians have left KosovaPRISHTINA, June 16 - ATA correspondent Belul Jashari reports: Some 100 000 Albanians have abandoned their territories, and 15.000 of them are in Albania due to the Serbian violence and terror. The special envoy of the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, Nicholas Morris, discussed the problem of these war refugees with the adviser of President Rugova, Alush Gashi.Gashi urged the establishment of an air bridge between NATO centers and the airport of Kosova in order to immediately send the humanitarian supplies, as well as to prepare the conditions for the return of the people to their homes. /p.ta/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Some 150 tonnes of smuggling cigarettes detainedDURRES, June 16 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: Some 150 tonnes with smuggling cigarettes, valuing 5 million dollars, was detained on Tuesday, the largest quantity in Albania.Petrit Kociu, the director of the Durres customs-house, told ATA that the cigarettes were loaded in the Lybian ship "Lucky Mar" of the association "Marco Mar Lines," which was blocked early on Tuesday by the forces of "Guardia di Finanza," in cooperation with the customs police of Durres port. The ship and the cigarettes loaded in it were sequestrated, its crew was detained by the police forces of Durres to carry out respective investigations. The General Director of Customs, Gezim Bleta, reported to ATA that this is the largest quantity of smuggling cigarettes seized not only in Albania, but even in Europe. Natalia Cea, chief of the XXI division which operates in Albania, as well as colonel Marcelo Arsica, commander of Guardia di Finanza in Durres, said that the detention of this quantity is another success of their cooperation with the customs-house and the customs police of Durres. They added that this cooperation has been extended and strengthened now in all the customs-houses of Albania. /s.sh/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Godo and Kosova delegations warn of a possible trick by MilosevicTIRANE, June 16 (ata) - By K Kostreci: The chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Policy, Sabri Godo, and representatives of the two parties of the Albanians of Kosova warned Tuesday of the possibility of a trick being played by Milosevic, who may give promises following his return from Russia on halting military operations of the Serb forces in order to avoid NATO operations.Regarding the meetings with the delegation of the Democratic League of Kosove and with that of the Social Democratic Party of Kosove, Godo said that "the Foreign Commission and the delegations from Kosove share the same views, according to which the Albanian Government must support NATO deployment in Kosove and Albania must declare that it is for the self- determination of the people of Kosova." During the meetings it was stressed that the talks between Serbian authorities and those of the Albanians of Kosova must be held at the proper level and in the presence of a third party. Godo hailed the NATO air exercises as a serious warning to Milosevic. He voiced the determination for coordination of acts by Albanian political forces in Kosove. "The armed resistance of the people of Kosove should be coordinated with the policy of its leaders," said Godo, who stressed that the decision for this must be taken by the authorities of Kosova. He said that the elected parliament of Kosova must convene to adopt political decisions. During the meetings, the delegations from Kosova agreed on the resolutions passed by the Albanian parliament with regard to the question of Kosove. /s.s./pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] President Meidani meets representatives of German Bank KFWTIRANA, June 16 (ATA)-President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, at a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of the German Bank of Investment, KFW, underlined that the creation of the FEFAD foundation with a fund of 10 million marks to credit small and medium business in Albania encourages the Albanian economy and business.According to the press and information office close to the President of the Republic, Meidani regarded the aim to open a private German bank as very significant for the development of the financial market at home. It also is a guarantee for economic cooperation between Albania and Germany. The participants in the meeting, which was also attended by German ambassador in Tirana Hans Peter Disdorn, exchanged views on the possibility to encourage German investments in various fields of the Albanian economy. The representatives of the German Bank of Investments on Monday signed an agreement enabling the German foundation Fefad to credit small and medium business in Albania with up to DM 10 million. /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] We expect OSCE intervention to return to CEC - deputy chairmanTIRANA, June 16 (ATA)-By A. Haxhiu, "We are waiting for the suggestions OSCE representative in Tirana Daan Everts will bring in the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) before we return to the CEC," the deputy chairman of this commission, Pellumb Cela, told ATA on Tuesday.The CEC deputy chairman and other members of the commission, representatives of the Union for Democracy grouping gave their early resignation from this commission on Monday. According to Cela the reasons for the resignation were the constant violations of the law on local government elections by the government and RTA leaders. "We want that our grouping is given the same air time to cover the electoral campaign in the TV, like the Socialist Party," said Cela. On Monday the commission met with ambassador Everts, who was familiarised with the complains of the Union for Democracy, composed of five parties (DP, SDUP, CDP, LMP, DUPA). /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] At least 58 Albanians killed, hundreds injured and 300 missing in DecanPRISHTINE, June 16/ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: At least 58 Albanians have been killed, hundreds wounded, overn 300 have gone missing and more than 200 have been taken hostage in the latest operations of the Serbian forces in Decan.Many villages and the Decan town are completely emptied of the Albanian inhabitants. Because of the attacks, extremely intensive since last month, more than 80 per cent of the houses have been turned into ruin, Democratic League (LDK) sources in Decan report. In their assaults against Albanians, the Serbian forces have employed heavy armaments, also including surface to surface missiles, airplanes, helicopters, tanks and armoured cars. The Decan subjects on Tuesday have repeated the appeal addressed to international humanitarian organisations for urgent aid consisting in food and medicine for the injured and sick. The are also calling for international intervention to release hostages and enable the burial of the killed. das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Citizen with one kg. of heroine intercepted at Rinas airportTIRANA, June 16 (ATA)-An Albanian citizen and New York resident, who was carrying an amount of 2.1 kg. of heroine, was intercepted at Rinas airport on Tuesday at 15.30.Florian Gezim Pepi, 25, was returning from New York by Alitalia and was caught and arrested in the moment he got off the plane at Rinas airport, the spokesman of the Tirane prefecture Police department told ATA. He had gone to the U.S. three days ago. The spokesman says that it were the officers of the regional anti- drug office in Tirana, in cooperation with the Rinas criminal police, who had long since prepared the plan to catch him. /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Kosova refugees arrive in KukesKukes, June 16 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha, After the influx of Kosova refugees in the Tropoje district they are now present also in the Kukes town."There are 18 people, mostly women and children, coming from the Brovine village of the Gjakove commune, who have been sheltered by their relatives in the town, the spokesman of the prefecture, Fadil Xhuta, told ATA. The chairman of the district council, Shefqet Bruka, told ATA that "measures are underway to cope with another possible influx of Kosova refugees due to Serbian violence, although the situation in this district has so far been calm". /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Other refugees from Kosova arrive in HasHAS, June 16 (ATA)-By Riza Hoxha, Another 30 Kosova refugees arrived in the district of Has (Northern Albania) from the Gjakova commune villages on Monday afternoon. They have been sheltered by their relatives.The local government has taken efficient measures to cope with some possible influx of Kosova refugees. Preparations have been intensified also because of reports that in Gjakove there is a great concentration of Kosova inhabitants who have fled the war zones. The first refugees from Kosova arrived in the district of Has about two months ago. /a.ke/das/lm/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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