Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Ministry of privatization to submit draft decisions to government

[02] Goods export and import increase in May

[03] Prices in several food articles decrease

[04] Tropoja people hail Kinkel chanting "KLA, Kosova is ours"

[05] Kinkel pledges aid for northern Albania

[06] Turkish President Sulejman Demirel to visit Albania

[07] Kinkel says Albania to continue reforms, as it will have maximum assistance

[08] Kinkel says autonomy, not independence for Kosova

[09] Albanian Minister of Defence Luan Hajdaraga in Turkey

[10] Albanian-American Coordinating Office in the defence Ministry reestablished

[11] Newly-appointed Greek consul in Korce

[12] DP determined not to participate in Parliament, OSCE and CE demand it to review its decision

[13] Difficult market supply in commune of Gjilan

[14] Renowned actor Vanessa Redgrave will give a concert for Kosove

[15] SP of Albania hails beginning of inquiry into smuggling

[16] Parliament adopts law on compensation of debts towards KESH

[17] Albanian Parliament adopts package of laws for Foreign Ministry

[18] Albanian Government committed to fight smuggling - Malaj

[01] Ministry of privatization to submit draft decisions to government

The draft decision on treatment of exploited mineral resources and those which will not be separated from trade companies and state enterprises aims at tackling the privatization of state properties in non-strategic sector according to legislation.

The draft decision, concerning the treatment of employees whose jobs are cut due to restructuring of "Albetrol" enterprise, foresees two-year financial assistance. It also defines their payment.

This package includes draft laws on participation of private sector through administration contract in Durres and Tirana water distribution enterprises, some supplements and amendments to the decision of the Council of Ministers for the privatisation of enterprises which cannot be transformed, process of liquidation for administratively bankrupt enterprises and others.

To make this process more transparent, the Ministry of Economy and Privatisation has clearly defined all legal and administrative links to help the process of privatisation of the non-strategic sector. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Goods export and import increase in May

In May 1998 the goods export in value amounted to 2830.1 million leks, recording an increase of 27.1 % as compared to the previous month and an increase of around 35% as compared to the same period last year.

According to the data provided by INSTAT, the goods import in May 1998 amounted to 10861.5 million leks or around 13.6% higher than in April.

This month, the trade deficit was 8031.4 million leks and the percentage of covering trade imports by exports was only 26.1 %.

The exchange rate in May 1998, as compared to the same month last year was some 10.7 lower, while as compared to April it was only 1.8% lower.

In May 1998, in contrast with the previous month, the trade import recorded an increase of 15.7 %, and export an increase 29.5 %.

In May 1998 humanitarian aid in commodities reached 565.6 million leks or some 3.4 times more than in the previous month. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Prices in several food articles decrease

The average prices have been reduced mainly for grains, dairy products, vegetables and eggs.

The average price of wheat from 44.0 lek/kg last week was reduced to 42.0 lek/kg/, that of maize from 41,6 lek/kg fell to 39,8 lek/kg. The average price of beans was reduced from 219,6 lek/kg to 207,8 lek/kg.

The price of white cheese has been reduced from 316,4 lek/kg to 310,6 lek/kg, fresh butter from 506,2 lek/kg to 502,1 lek/kg, curd from 98,1 lek/kg to 92,4 lek/kg and eggs from 13.6 lek an egg to 13,2 lek.

This week is also characterised by a decrease of the average price of vegetables. The average price of tomato was reduced from 73,6 lek/kg to 55, 2 lek/kg and of green paprika from 124,3 lek/kg to 82,1 lek/kg.

The average price of fruits is increasing. The price of apples increased from 112,6 lek/kg to 116,5 lek/kg, that of oranges from 104,8 lek/kg to 108,9 lek/kg.

Other food items are sold as follows: Sugar 76,1 lek/kg, rice 92,3 lek/kg, imported macaroni 109,1 lek/kg and cooking oil 198,9 lek/kg.

Lamb meat from 507,6 lek/kg was sold 507 lek/kg, veal from 615 was sold 618,5 lek/kg and beef from 493,7 lek/kg increased to 505,6 lek/kg. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Tropoja people hail Kinkel chanting "KLA, Kosova is ours"

"I have high consideration for you, Tropoja residents who have accommodated the people coming from Kosova," Kinkel said after finding themselves amid the crowd.

Kinkel visited the city's civil hospital and was interested in medical treatment for those people coming from Kosova. He promised an ongoing aid for local health institutions.

He left for Tirana aboard a military helicopter amids shouts "KLA, Kosova is ours." s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Kinkel pledges aid for northern Albania

In a meeting with the leaders of the local government in the premises of "Beselidhja e Malesise" eighth year school, Kinkel said that the German Federal Government and its people feel they are very close to the Albanian people and have offered aid for the Albanians and Kosovars worth 1.2 million marks. Later, they will offer medical aid and other material aid estimated at 100 thousand marks.

"We, in Germany, are very interested that the refugees from Kosova or Macedonia remain here in the region and not to move ahead to Germany. This is not because we do not want them, but we are interested in developing a regional concept for refugees here as we have many problems concerning the large number of refugees arriving there, including the refugees coming from Bosnia in the recent years."

"It is common knowledge that the German people are very close to the Albanians and that we will continue our assistance in support of the Albanian people both bilaterally and multilaterally," Kinkel said further on.

"We will continue to render this aid in the framework of the European Union, will continue to provide it also including the aid for the Kosovars, " he said further on.

He pledged that the aid given by Germany and other international organisations will continue, especially for the Tropoja families, which have sheltered the Kosova refugees.

"I want to express my respect and evaluation for the generous assistance that you, as inhabitants of Northern Albania, have provided for the Kosova refugees."

"You have really done so much, a very very good work for the benefit of your Kosovar brothers and for this I would like to thank you cordially," the German foreign Minister told the participants at the meeting.

Kinkel also thanked the international organisations such as the High Commissioner for Refugees and other German humanitarian organisations active in Northern Albania.

Also attending the meeting was the Government's plenipotentiary, Taulant Dedja, who appreciated the visit of the German Minister as an encouragement for the inhabitants of this zone who for six weeks now have been coping with a complex situation after an influx of over 12 000 Kosovars, who have left their lands due to the Serbian military and police violence.

After this meeting the deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Germany, Klaus Kinkel, also accompanied by Albanian foreign Minister Paskal Milo, visited a family which has accommodated 19 Kosova refugees. /s.s/ak/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Turkish President Sulejman Demirel to visit Albania

The visit is a response to an invitation of the Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, during his visit to Turkey in February of this year.

This will be the second formal visit of Turkish President to Albania.

"The visit of Demirel to Tirana testifies to the high spirit of friendship and very close bilateral relations existing between out two countries," said the spokesman.

This visit is realised under a very difficult situation in the region, with the crisis in Kosova, due to Serbian military and police violence and repression, risking to spill over.

The visit of the Turkish president to Tirana and meetings with Albanian senior politicians politics is expected to confirm the common will to further strengthen relations in the political, military, economic, educational and cultural fields.

Demirel will be accompanied in this visit by his wife,. three members of the Turkish Government, businessmen and a large number of reporters.

Demirel is the first head of state visiting Albania following the June 29 elections. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Kinkel says Albania to continue reforms, as it will have maximum assistance

The results of the Contact Group, various political and military options on Kosova, the situation created in Northern Albania as well as Albania's relations with the European Union were at the centre of the talks, the Prime Minister's spokesman told ATA.

"The International Community should be quick to find a solution in Kosova as fighting is increasingly approaching the inhabited centres, which might cause Bosnian-like massacres, escalating the conflict also in the countries neighboring Kosova," said Prime Minister Nano.

Albania asks from the allied countries, like Germany, to convince Russia that any conflict's spill over would cause consequences that would be very difficult to cope with later.

The Albanian government demands the use of all means to achieve cease- fire, a thing which it has also transmitted earlier to its partners in Kosova who should quickly decide on convening a National Assembly, which, acting as a decision-taking authority in Kosova, would also lead the talks with Belgrade. But, efforts to return peace in Kosova would have been insufficent if they were not accompanied by concrete actions to help stabilize and recover Albania. Problems created in the north of Albania could not be tackled without the humanitarian assistance for refugees and their hosts as well as without the efficacious logistic for the Albanian police, which have increased efforts to prevent trafficking and contraband, Nano said.

The government would continue close consultations with the Euro Atlantic community and the institutionalization of relations with the European Union was a priority, he said.

Congratulating prime minister Fatos Nano for the peaceful policy on the crisis in Kosova, Kinkel said that the European Union would discuss in its future meeting possibilities to assist Albania, which, according to him, should continue reforms quietly because it would have maximum aid. All those who follow other lines, besides the peaceful one, do not have the support of the West, Kinkel said.

Milosevic should understand that NATO could not tolerate a spill-over of the conflict in border countries with Kosova and the Kosova issue could not be allowed to return into a conflict between NATO and Russia. Therefore, the unity of Contact Group is very important, Kinkel added.

Germany will continue aid planned for Albania asking other European countries to show their support for the present situation in the Balkans.

You can be counted on Germany, the German Foreign minister Kinkel said. ake/lm/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Kinkel says autonomy, not independence for Kosova

Kinkel told journalists in a news conference at the Rinas airport following a 24-hour visit in Albania that he believed a political solution for the autonomy of Kosova and not for its division would be found.

"We know that Albanians and those who support them would want the independence of Kosova, but such a solution will not be backed by the international community," Kinkel said categorically.

He said that he had talked in the morning with Veton Surroi and Blerim Shala, two representatives of the negotiating group of Kosove, adding that he would "talk with all those who are able to refrain violence."

Asked by ATA "if Germany is for direct participation of the KLA (Kosove Liberation Army) in the talks or for its control by the present politicians and its representation by them" Kinkel said that "our main interlocutor is Ibrahim Rugova, but anyhow, we shall talk with all those who would be for a peaceful solution, not excluding here the KLA as well."

Kinkel voiced full support for the Government of Fatos Nano and its equilibratory policy in calming the situation in the region, stressing that it would have the support of its German friends.

But the German Foreign Minister also asked the Albanian Government "to strongly oppose the further radicalization of the stand of the Albanians of Kosove."

Kinkel, who visited today in the morning Northern Albania and met with refugees from Kosove there, voiced his satisfaction for the hospitality extended to them.

He said that the German Government had accorded to the Albanian Governemnt an aid worth 1.2. million DM in assistence for the refugees and that he himself had donated today an humanitarian aid of 100 thousand DM for the refugees.

The German Foreign Minister said that his country has accepted so far 140 000 Albanian emigrants and since the beginning of the crisis 2 800 Kosovars had arrived in Germany."But this cannot be everlasting," Kinkel said.

The chief of the German diplomacy left for Skopje early at noon today. /s.s./mima/ak/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian Minister of Defence Luan Hajdaraga in Turkey

During the visit, the Albanian Minister is expected to meet with the President of the Turkish Republic, Sulejman Demirel, the Defence Minister of Turkey, Sezgin and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Keverkollou.

According to the spokesman, a number of important agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, such as the agreement for the assistance of the Turkish army for the military base of Pashaliman, for the commando brigade of Zall Herr and for cooperation in the military industry. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian-American Coordinating Office in the defence Ministry reestablished

The Albanian Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga had Thursday a separate meeting with the office team, the spokesman of the ministry said.

The minister highlighted in the meeting the work of the American team, which left Albania during the unrest of March last year.

"The return of the team, your work and presence here," said Mr Hajdaraga, "shows in the best way that we can and will go ahead in our cooperation."

Specialists of the Office pointed out that now the level is in the required parameters and that, it will be promoted in all possible fields.

Also present in the meeting were the U.S. ambassador in Tirane, Mariza Lino and the Military Attache, Colonel Apolegate. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Newly-appointed Greek consul in Korce

Mico highlighted the friendly relations existing between Albania and Greece and in particular, the inter-border relations between the region of Korce and that of Northern Greece and demanded the promotion of programs by CE and the World Bank for the development of these regions.

The consul was accompanied by the outgoing Greek consul, Jorgos Iliopoullos, who is charged with another duty.

According to Vamvounakis, the Greek general consulate in Korce will be inaugurated in mid-August.

Vamvounakis, 45, is a career diplomat. Before this post, he has been appointed Greek consul in Canada. /a.ka/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] DP determined not to participate in Parliament, OSCE and CE demand it to review its decision

"We have not yet any knowledge about the statements of these international organizations, but in spite of this, we are determined in our decision to definitely leave the Albanian Parliament," declared Sali Berisha, DP chairman, in a news conference of the political grouping, Union for Democracy, on Thursday.

In a statement on Wednesday, OSCE and CE said that "OSCE Office and the Special Representative of the Council of Europe are rather concerned about the decision of the largest opposition party (DP) to start a new unlimited boycott of the Parliament, and calls it to review this decision."

OSCE and CE considered DP's act as a measure with the opposite effect in the consolidation of a democratic state, based on the force of law of which all the parties have their responsibility.

The DP's act not to take part in the parliament was also condemned Thursday by the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel in a news conference in Rinas airport.

"Such an act by Sali Berisha is something negative," Kinkel told reporters.

"The inner conciliation remains the main demand of the international community for Albania and in this direction the act of Sali Berisha is wrong," said Kinkel.

The Democratic Party decided to boycott the parliament last Tuesday, one day after the Parliament approved the report on the Investigation into the Unrest of 1997, where deputies of the Government coalition blamed Sali Berisha and his collaborators for the destruction of the Albanian state last year. /s.s./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Difficult market supply in commune of Gjilan

The supply of Kosove with basic food articles, such as flour, oil, sugar etc., is particularly hindered. Even those few traders who manage to bring in commodities through some private firm from Bujanivci up to Gjilan, have no guarantee for their goods. /p.ta/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Renowned actor Vanessa Redgrave will give a concert for Kosove

The concert with songs and poetry will be held on July 20 in St.John Cathedral The Divine, in New York. The publication of the organization of Albanian-American women "Motrat (Sisters) Qiriazi" and the LDK, friends and benevolent people are invited to assist Kosove with money, food, clothes and medicaments.

Vanessa Redgrave has also helped before the people of Palestine and has visited Palestine several times. /p.ta.das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] SP of Albania hails beginning of inquiry into smuggling

He demanded that along with the inquiries, the respective institutions must act administratively towards the officials under investigation.

The General Attorney's Office started Tuesday investigation into the General Customs Department with regard to the failure to complete customs clearances during the second half of 1997 and the first half of this year. The first session of the investigation into the issue starts on Friday, with the interrogation of the director of the General Customs Department, Gezim Bleta.

The problem of smuggling has triggered a debate recently among Albanian political forces, and even within the ruling coalition. Former Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, President of the Democratic Alliance party, put the blame for this problem on the Finance Minister, Arben Malaj and the General director of the Customs Houses, Gezim Bleta. /das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Parliament adopts law on compensation of debts towards KESH

According to the law, if the indebted subjects, be they budgetary or not, or even private, do not pay KESH for the electricity they use, then the Corporation has the right to get the amount of money for the spent electricity in the bank running accounts of these subjects.

So far, according to KESH balance sheet, state institutions and private subjects owe this Corporation an amount of money up to 9.3 billion lek.

According to the chairman of the Parliamentary Commission of Economy, Leontiev Cuci, the law is indispensable and a condition set by international financial organizations, such as the World Bank and others, which have plans to offer KESH great investments. /s.sh/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albanian Parliament adopts package of laws for Foreign Ministry

The package has the law "On foreign Service" and the law "On consular Services," which were adopted by majority of votes in today's parliamentary session.

So far, the activity of Albanian diplomats in diplomatic and consular representations in other countries will be based on a special status, according to which only career-diplomats will be named in these institutions.

The high diplomatic grades such as Ambassador and plenipotentiary minister are granted by special decree of the President of the Republic, while the grade general consul is granted only by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. In all the cases, the proposals will be made by the Premier. The lower posts will be named by a special commission. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian Government committed to fight smuggling - Malaj

Malaj made public the data from the latest IMF mission, including the incomes from customs houses in Albania. According to the report, the customs incomes for January-May 1998 period were 92 million dollars compared with 63 million dollars or 146 % more than 1995 which is considered as the best fiscal year.

"Fight against corruption takes long" said the Minister. According to a study, 5-7 years are needed to feel the full effects of this fight.

The government is engaged in making concrete and immediate steps which yield positive results, continued Malaj.

In the first steps are the institutional steps including, according to Malaj, the decentralization of competence, easer contacts between business and fiscal administration, unification of procedures with trade partners etc.

Important in these steps, said Malaj, is also the new Customs Code, which will be presented to the Parliament soon. Second is the new Tax Code, which is being discussed by the experts. Also another law on the budget has been presented to the parliament, allowing a better control and management of budgetary expenditures. A draft for the improvement of the fiscal documentation is also being discussed.

In the second steps of the fight against smuggling and evasion are included administrative reforms, transparence in selection, testing of present workers, training of the existing staffs etc.

Another point Malaj mentioned in his news conference was the declaration of assets by the present people working in customs houses and taxation offices. If there are people of these institutions proven to have profited and have deposited money unjustly through their posts during the period that pyramid investment schemes were flourishing they will not be included in the scheme for the distribution of the incomes after the assets of the former pyramid schemes will be accumulated. /xh/

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