Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-02

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Trade college to be added to Supreme Court - Parliament

[02] Inner parliamentary service created in People's Assembly of Albania

[03] U.S.Congress delegation meets with President Rugova - Kosove

[04] EU accuses Belgrade to have caused the crisis in Kosove - Albanian Premier

[05] NATO Secretary General in Tirane on Thursday

[06]

[07] Bank of Albania - the only authority to licence other banks

[08] World Bank confirms further support for economic reforms in Albania

[09] Albanian farmers demanding credits from banks

[10] Measures to fight corruption in customs houses adopted

[11]

[12]

[13] NATO Secretary General arrived in Tirana

[14] 24 Albanians killed in Peja within two months

[15] Albanian people in Kosova under forced displacement

[16] Tense situation in Gjakova

[17] Albania, NATO discuss bilateral relations, Kosova crisis

[18] Kukes prepared for a possible flow of Kosova people

[19] Unity for Democracy conditions return to constitutional commission

[20] Republicans reject request to change commission's co-chairmen

[21] US to continue efforts for a durable regional peace

[22] Government cannot make fiscal favours to private media

[23] Dollar falls against national currency

[24] Labour ministry to tight anti-corruption measures

[25] Yugoslav army pounds Albanian villages

[26] Solana says NATO would not allow a second Bosnia in Kosova

[01] Trade college to be added to Supreme Court - Parliament

The law, presented by the Council of Ministers, envisages a new college in the highest level of the local judiciary. In this way, from now on, the Supreme Court, besides penal and civil colleges, will also have the trade college.

The draft law for the organization of the most prestigious institution of the Albanian judiciary forecasts the creation of the Presidency of the Supreme Court, which will consist of the Chairman and his deputies.

The Democratic Party deputies objected the law declaring it "suffocates Albanian courts" and that it has been drafted only with the purpose of discharging the present chairman of the Supreme Court.

This idea was objected by the Minister of Institutional Reforms, Arben Imami, whose ministry had prepared the law on the organization of the Supreme Court. /a.ke/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Inner parliamentary service created in People's Assembly of Albania

The supplement, consisting of two articles, envisages the creation of the inner parliamentary service. Administratively, this service is within the structure of the Guard of the Republic and its task is to keep order and tranquillity in the parliament hall.

The supplement to the law "On the Guard of the Republic" is made conformed to the regulation of the Parliament, which says that if order is spoiled in the hall when sessions are taking place, upon order of the session chairman, the guards of the inner parliamentary service intervene.

The Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, explaining these changes, said that the guards will have a special uniform and will be unarmed. In response to concerns by some deputies, Gjinushi said that the guards will protect the integrity of the hall and will not affect the immunity of the deputy. /s.s./pas/xh/

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[03] U.S.Congress delegation meets with President Rugova - Kosove

During its stay in Kosove up to July 4, the delegation will also visit the regions where fighting is taking place. After return to Washington, the delegation will hand over to the U.S.Congress a report on the situation in Kosove. /b.j./sara/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] EU accuses Belgrade to have caused the crisis in Kosove - Albanian Premier

PM Nano pointed out that the guerrilla war going on in Kosove, bordering Albania, is bringing to the fore two factors: Serb police military forces which are killing and expelling from their lands thousands of Albanian and the Liberation Army of Kosove (KLA) which is trying to defend the attacked areas.

Nano noted with pleasure that the prejudge for the KLA (which controls more than one thirds of the territory of Kosove with 90 per cent of the population Albanian) has been defied and that the recent meeting of the U.S. envoys for the Balkans, Richard Holbrooke in Junik and Robert Gelbard in Switzerland tried to consider it (KLA) a political element of the coming negotiations for the status of Kosove.

"Our stance accepted as an option during the meetings in Austria and in Crans Montana is that all the influential factors in Kosove must convene and act as local authorities constituting together the necessary structure and hierarchy to negotiate and decide," said Nano in the government meeting on Wednesday.

"An all-embracing representation might be formed including Mr Rugova and KLA leaders, members of the government of Mr. Bukoshi and naturally influential authorities in Kosove," said Nano.

"The Albanian Government," he added, "despite the press speculations, has never been against the will of the Albanian people of Kosove for self- determination."

Focusing on the charges in the recent weeks for "irresponsibility on the part of the PM and the coalition government" with regard to the Kosove question, PM Nano pointed out that he was forced to give a public response to these charges, adding that the the latest vote of confidence of the government took place during the last two runoffs of partial local polls.

"This result is an expression not only of the wise governing which is contributing to the rehabilitation of the Albanian institutions but also a confirmation of the foreign policy and the national one in particular to defend peace and halt war," said Nano. /a.ke/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] NATO Secretary General in Tirane on Thursday

The visit of the NATO chief to Tirane is related with the crisis in Kosove. Solana will discuss with Albanian authorities options for the solution to that crisis.

Solana will be welcomed at Rinas airport at about 12.45 by Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano.They are expected to have a tete-a-tete meeting in the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, which will be followed by talks between the two delegations.

During his visit to Tirane, Mr Solana will have a joint meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga as well as with the respective parliamentary commissions of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

NATO chief will visit today the NATO office in the Defence Ministry where he is expected to give a news conference.

The agenda of the first day of the visit of Solana to Albania envisages a meeting this evening with the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani.

This is the second visit of Mr Solana to Albania this year, following one in March. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06]

There are 7 regional business agencies in Albania, in Gjirokaster, Vlore, Korce, Elbasan, Tirane, Kruje and Shkoder which have been set up by the European Union through the PHARE Program, and now are being managed by the GTZ. These agencies provide technical assistance for business, information, training courses, drafting of business plans and services for subjects after they have started their business.

Actually, the regional agencies are conducting various courses for perfection of business management in some fields of the economy. Along with these courses, seminars are also being organized on various topics, among which the one named "How to start your business."

All the courses are being held conformed to the standards approved by the Project GTZ, also taking into consideration the Albanian experience, and they will help perfect the direction of various businesses. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Bank of Albania - the only authority to licence other banks

According to the draft law, the Bank of Albania is the only authority to licence the banks to start their banking activity in Albania. The Bank of Albania defines the amount of the initial minimal capital of the banks and the changing of this sum from one period to the other. At the beginning the bank will start its activity by making a written request along with the presentation of: the information for the qualification, reputation and the experience of the administrators of the proposed bank, including data on their trade or professional activity in the last seven years.

Besides, a supplementary information is needed. It consists of the draft of the Foundation Act and the draft bylaws of the bank, the name of the proposed bank, the location of its headquarters, the sources of the contributions in capital and a certification for the payment of the taxes and levies.

If a foreign bank proposes to possess more than 10 per cent of the signed capital of a bank, it must be authorized by respective authorities to carry out operations for the acceptance and accumulation of the deposits in money, or other repaid funds in the foreign country where its central department has its headquarters. The foreign authorities must give their consent in a written form. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] World Bank confirms further support for economic reforms in Albania

The spokesman of the Finance Ministry said that Malaj presented in the meeting the steps of the Albanian Government for the restructuring of the banking system, focusing on the placing of the accountancy in the level of contemporary standards of the National Trade Bank and the Savings Bank and the realisation of auditing and their management with the assistance of foreign banks.

Another problem discusses was also the determining and forecast of the cost for the restructuring of the banking system and that of crediting of the economy by second level banks.

In addition, Minister Malaj mentioned some of the reasons which make possible the granting of credits by second level banks in Albania. The significant improvement of the management of the banks, whose activity is being monitored also by foreign banks, the stabilization of the macro- economic situation, the existence of a group of serious businessmen who see the bank as a partner for their success, the responsibility of the government not to abuse with the political power, etc., are very important factors which help reduce considerably the risk of granting credits by the Albanian second level banks.

Malaj briefed Mr Passacantando of the work for the increase of efficiency in the sector of customs houses and that of taxation, the fight against smuggling and corruption in the administration, the changing of fiscal policies, the effects of their changes as well as the difficulties faced in the activity of the financial administration.

The Executive Director of the World Bank hailed the steps undertaken by the Albanian Government for the restructuring of the banking and financial systems and declared World Bank's further support to promote the reforms in all the sectors of the Albanian economy. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian farmers demanding credits from banks

HABA, formed in 1997 with 82 members, aims to solve the problem of supplying its members with agricultural imputes, to find ways for the perfection of the technique and technology in the production and processing of vegetables and to solve marketing problems.

Until 1990, said Mr Pavaci, nearly 1100 hectares with glass houses were used, supplying the needs of the market and about 36 thousand tons of vegetables was exported in Poland, Croatia, etc. While at present there are about 500 hectares with glass houses being used, an amount of land unable to meet the needs of the market in the peak of the production, the less so in the December-May period.

The farmers have demanded the increase of customs tariffs for the imported vegetables when the local production is most abundant, the reduction of these tariffs for auxiliary imputes of the processing industry, and the most important, according to Mr Pavaci, the support with credits at favourable rates for the perfection of the technology, because only to construct 1 000 square meters of glass houses are needed nearly 15 thousand dollars. But now those banks in Albania which are in the stage of restructuring have reduced to minimum the credits for farmers. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Measures to fight corruption in customs houses adopted

Finance Minister Arben Malaj said that measures are being adopted to fight corruption in these structures. Ai demanded improvement of the legislation along with as many as possible facilitating elements, easer procedures and unifying elements with other countries, especially with our trade partners. On this basis, the government has approved the new code of customs houses, the new organic law of the budget and work is going on for the drafting of the new taxation code.

Malaj said that also another law is being drafted for the financial documentation of state and private firms to centralize the production and the delivery of some basic documents of financial control in order to lower the fiscal evasion.

In the course of these measures, said Mr Malaj, important investments are being made in the customs houses for the installation of the data base network in them, immediate identification of the importers, the transfer of the information to the taxation sector, etc. In its first steps is also the construction of a direct line to assist business, an office with experts which will offer help for the business and will create the possibility to gather the verified information.

Malaj also pointed out the assistance for the Albanian customs houses by the 21st Division, the intensive training programs to serve the fight against trafficking. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11]

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[12]

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[13] NATO Secretary General arrived in Tirana

Solana was welcomed at the Rinas airport by the Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Secretary of State for European Integration Ilir Meta and deputy Defence Minister Ilir Boçka.

"We have many things to discuss with the Albanian authorities," Solana said to journalists at the airport promising to meet them, too.

The Kosova crisis and options for its solutions are at the focus of the NATO chief visit to Tirana.

Solana and prime minister Nano will hold a tete-a-tete meeting in Tirana, which will be followed by delegations' meeting.

NATO chief was expected to meet Albanian Foreign minister Paskal Milo and Defence minister Luan Hajdaraga as well as parliamentary foreign and defence commissions. He would also visit the NATO office at the Albanian Defence Ministry and was going to hold a news conference.

Late on Thursday, he will hold a separate meeting with the President of Albania Rexhep Meidani. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] 24 Albanians killed in Peja within two months

Serbian forces have also burnt down 64 Albanian houses. pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanian people in Kosova under forced displacement

Women, children and elderly people of the villages of Leskoshiq, Sibofc and Hamidi of the commune of Obiliq and those of villages of Bivolak, Glavotin, Zhilivode and Strofc of the commune of Vushtri have left their houses for Drenica villages, across the Qyqavica mountain, while the men are defending their lands. pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Tense situation in Gjakova

The sources in Gjakova city said that the presence of Serb forces in check points have been increased while units of the Serbian heavy artillery have been deployed in the city's access to Rreke e Keqe.

Roads from Prishtina and Mitrovica to Peja, Prizren and Gjakova have been closed since Tuesday following heavy fighting between Serb forces and Kosova people in Derenoc village.

The road traffic in Klina-Peja motorway has been interrupted. A very tense situation with shootings from groups of civil Serbs, who, as the Center for Information in Kosova said, are trying to provoke conflicts with their Albanian neighbours, is prevailing in Fushe-Kosove recently. pta/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albania, NATO discuss bilateral relations, Kosova crisis

"We discussed at length the alternatives analysing all the options to find a solution to the crisis and resume negotiations," Nano said to journalists.

He also expressed his satisfaction that the visit of Solana coincided with the opening of the NATO office in Tirana.

"This is the first office in the East European countries," Nano said.

NATO Secretary General Solana said that "we are establishing very constructive links with Albania" and " today's talks would focus on two main issues that is the bilateral relations and the Kosova crisis."

Solana said that they would exchange views aiming at ensuring peace in the region.

"I appreciate what Mr. Nano briefed me and I am sure that his intellect and buon sense would be useful for me to create a clearer idea on the situation," Solana said after the meeting.

Javier Solana is expected to hold a news conference at 16.50 at the Defence Ministry following the official opening of the NATO office there. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Kukes prepared for a possible flow of Kosova people

Shefqet Bruka, head of the district council, said to ATA that though the number of the people who have arrived there was not more than 18, they could not exclude a possible flow as a result of fighting in the communes of Gjakova and Prizren.

The team for a state of emergency is working to secure accommodation, especially in the dormitories of the Kalimash mine and in the industrial area of the city.

Bruka said that state of emergency teams have been created in the five border communes with Yugoslavia and are closely following the situation and taking necessary measures. s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Unity for Democracy conditions return to constitutional commission

This grouping has set different conditions to take part in the commission starting with the idea of the co-chairman elected by the opposition followed by that of some co-chairmen and later the request to have the blocking minority in the commission.

Pollo hailed the suggestion of the European troika to the Unity for Democracy to attend the final reading of the text of draft constitution before it is submitted to parliament and referendum.

The European troika, which was for a three-day visit to Albania, issued a statement rejecting the notion of a blocking minority in the commission and said that any alternative that enjoyed the support of one third of commission's members followed a debate in parliament, should be presented for referendum.

The commission on constitution has two co-chairmen that is Arben Imami, elected by the government coalition and Sabri Godo, representative of the Albanian opposition. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Republicans reject request to change commission's co-chairmen

"The co-chairmen of the constitutional commission have been elected by the Albanian parliament, whose legitimacy has also been accepted by the Democratic party (DP)," Fatmir Mediu, leader of the Republican party said to ATA on Thursday.

He said that the contribution of the co-chairman Sabri Godo, who represents the Albanian opposition, was indisputable.

"I do not believe that the Unity for Democracy, or precisely the DP, would do anything better than what has been done so far by the commission," Mediu said.

Mediu considered the DP's statements not to enter the constitutional commission a pretext to delay as much as possible the presence of this grouping in the commission. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] US to continue efforts for a durable regional peace

They praised the role of the international community and especially that of the United States and President Bill Clinton on a solution to the crisis in former Yugoslavia and the U.S. realistic attitude towards the Kosova issue, according to press and information office close to the presidency.

President Meidani underlined the necessity to undertake immediate action and use all possible options to end the Serb military violence against the civil population in Kosova.

He stressed that the United States were evaluating all active factors of the political life of Albanians in Kosova and praised this as a realistic knowledge of the situation there.

Senator Lautenburg, who is member of some important commissions of the U.S. Senate, said that the United States were continuing the efforts for a durable peace in the region.

U.S. Ambassador to Tirana Marisa Lino was present at the meeting. s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Government cannot make fiscal favours to private media

Islami, who has been asked to reply to questions by the independent deputy Nikolle Lesi, said that the government had approved a law on sponsoring, which could ease in a way the financial conditions of the independent press.

As regards the reduction of customs taxes and VAT only for goods used as raw material for media, Islami said that the agreements signed so far between the Albanian government and IMF did not allow favours to any association. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Dollar falls against national currency

Currency bought sold

US1$.00 153.00 153.10 German Marks 84.40 84.50 Italian Lire 85.30 85.40 Greek Drachmas 50.00 50.05

/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Labour ministry to tight anti-corruption measures

Minister Angjeli said that the ministry would tighten anti-corruption measures in conformity with the decisions taken by the anti-corruption conference.

The delegation of the World Bank expressed the satisfaction for the total understanding on the part of the Albanian government and its commitment to fight it by all means.

The World Bank officials said that they had noticed the first positive impacts in fight against corruption after the conference. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Yugoslav army pounds Albanian villages

Attacks of Serb forces late on Wednesday and during the night have been backed by incessant flights of the Yugoslav warplanes.

The villages Bardhi i Madh, Hade and Lajthishte (less than 10 km west of Prishtina) came under the shelling of Serb forces deployed in Gazimestan, Kuzmin and Pomozotin. The Yugoslav army in Bernice e Eperme have also launched a grenade attack while Hade village has been a target of Serb snipers during the night and early on Thursday.

Fighting continued in regions between Mitrovica and Vushtri cities. The Serb forces deployed in Frasher village have burnt down all the Albanian houses and have launched a grenade attack against Pantine village.

Fighting are under way in the border line with Albania and suburbs of Deçan and Gjakova. There are reports of military convoys heading for the border accompanied with helicopters flights.

Reports from Deçan said that forces of the Yugoslav army have pounded early on Thursday the villages of Lubeniq, Strallc, Lebushe, Isniq, Carraberg i Ulet, Beleg, Prejlep. Over 150 grenades have been launched against Carrabreg i Ulet and Prejlep. The army has also shelled the region of Voksh.

Fighting continued in suburbs of Kline, Shtimje and Suhareka and Drenica region. fh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Solana says NATO would not allow a second Bosnia in Kosova

But he did not elaborate on the options offered by NATO to end the crisis.

Solana, who is on a 24-hour visit to Tirana, said that the alliance was concerned on the developments in Kosova and that it was doing the utmost to reach a cease-fire and resume negotiations.

He said that the alliance and its member states are upholding their attitude towards the crisis in Kosova.

Solana said that due to the aggravated situation in the region an NATO fleet will approach the Durres seaside to show its solidarity with the Albanian people.

He informed that NATO important exercises would be held in Albania on August.

Asked about the role of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and its presence in negotiations, Solana said that "efforts should be undertaken for the community in Kosova to adopt a unique stand in negotiation with the presence of KLA."

NATO Secretary-General said that "the Albanian government is very near NATO's and international community options."

Solana was expected to have a separate meeting with the president of Albania Rexhep Meidani on Thursday evening.

He will leave Tirana for Skopje on Friday, the last leg of his Sarajeva-Tirana-Skopje tour. ake/das/ak/

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

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