Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-20

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Hajdaraga: Cooperation with NATO an important factor of stability

[02] 3.2 billion lek encased in the state budget by customs

[03] Armed forces on high alert to safeguard territorial integrity

[04] Free movement of Albanian emigrants in Greece begins

[05] Heavy clashes in Drenica

[06] EU ready to help Kosova's displaced population

[07] Fourteen Kosova Albanians arrive in Has

[08] A new modern line for processing milk

[09] Changes in retail prices for food productions

[10] A fund of 18 million lek for Macukull aqueduct

[11] Milo says Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified

[12] A train man killed in a crash of two goods trains

[13] About 5 000 narcotic plants destroyed in Albania

[14] Serbs burn down 31 villages in Kline commune

[15] Religious communities in Shkoder condemn explosion in Orthodox Church

[16] Milo says Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified

[17] Bishops' Conference of Albania says any act against Church is also against God

[18] Albanian caught for drug-trafficking

[19] Tirane University included in all-European programs

[20] 1000 cannabis roots ruined in Gorican (Berat)

[21] CE to help Albanian judiciary and police

[22] U.S. envoy for Kosove Christopher Hill meets Rugova

[01] Hajdaraga: Cooperation with NATO an important factor of stability

"Relations of Albania with NATO are excellent and we are ready to fulfill all our engagements, which consists from our participation in Partnership for Peace program, but even from the individual program between Albania and NATO", stressed Hajdaraga during a meeting he had Wednesday with admiral Daniel Murphy, Commander in chief of the troops participating in the military exercises "Cooperative Assembly".

Cooperation with you, said Hajdaraga, is considered by us an important factor of stability.

"I make use of the chance to express my personal thanks and those of my colleagues, for the correct measures of security taken on your part, about the joint exercises we are holding in Bize", said Hajdaraga to admiral Murphy.

"We are very pleased with the procedure and rhythm of the integration of Albanian armed forces into NATO", said admiral Murphy, expressing at the same time his confidence in the restructuring of Albanian army.

Hajdaraga after a briefing on the situation in Kosova, said that Kosova issue should be solved by political means, but with every passing day we are becoming aware that Milosevic knows only the language of force.

"He is using his army and police to realise an ethnic cleansening. He is striking with artillery, tanks and military air force without any difference to many villages and thus burning and destroying everything, from innocent people to the crops", finished Hajdaraga./das/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] 3.2 billion lek encased in the state budget by customs

According to final results of the Directory of Statistics and Informatics, close to General Directory of Customs, income by customs for July were realised above the forecasted plan by the customs of Durresi by 103%, Kapshtica by 161%, Korça by 129%, Gjairokastra by 131 %, Saranda by 162 % and Lezha by 126 %.

Customs of Tirana and Shkodra are very much below the plan, by realising respectively 658 million lek or 57% and 37.1 million lek or 69% of the plan.

Among different items of customs income, for the first time excise surpasses the plan by ecasing in the budget 422.3 million lek or 169% of the plan.

As for the duties of VAT, the income of this item are above the normal level at 82% of the plan for this month.

At the end of the first 7 months of 1998, it is seen that customs have encased 20.2 billion lek from 24 billion of the plan and according to specialists this difference will begin to narrow during the last months of the year./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Armed forces on high alert to safeguard territorial integrity

At a news conference on Wednesday, Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta said that "The Albanian side has made known its reaction on Tuesday's incident to the Yugoslav party, but the latter, not respecting the cross- border procedures, has absolutely not reacted."

Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga, at a meeting on Wednesday with Admiral Daniel Murphy, commander of the forces participating in the "Cooperative Assembly" exercise on Wednesday, said that since the beginning of the tense situation in Kosova until now, with the latest incidents on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, the Albanian army has taken all measures to raise the alert level in safeguarding the territorial integrity.

On the other hand, Hajdaraga said, "our units have been ordered to avoid in the maximum any kind of provocation by the Serbs."

At the same time on Wednesday, Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, on behalf of the Albanian government, addressed to the Yugoslav government a note of protest, which expresses Albanian government's deep indignation at Belgrade's policy. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Free movement of Albanian emigrants in Greece begins

Arqile Nika, official at the "Skenderbeu" travel agency in Korce, told ATA that over the past six days the number of the buses transporting Albanian emigrants from Greece has increased.

This was also confirmed by the customs authorities in Kapshtice, who said that the number of the Albanian emigrants coming from Greece last week amounted to 5 000.

They said this is linked with the latest decree issued by Greek President Stephanopoulos, who legalised the free movement of the Albanians working in Greece. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Heavy clashes in Drenica

With a lower intensity the fighting went on along the border line between Kosova and Albania, where heavy artillery of the Yugoslav army have shelled villages in the Deçani region.

Sources of Democratic League of Kosova (DLK) report that on Tuesday evening the Serbian military forces have shelled Banja village, where one Albanian was killed and three others were wounded, all members of one family. While on Wednesday in the villages Bubavec and Drenovc the Serbian forces torched houses of Albanians./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] EU ready to help Kosova's displaced population

"Preventive measures should be taken in Kosova to avoid a catastrophe, " said Bonino at a meeting on Wednesday with the President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova.

Bonino is visiting Kosova at the head of a delegation which also includes the ambassador of Austria in Belgrade, Volfgang Petric.

Rugova said that the situation in Kosova continues to be very grave, due to the offensive of the Serb military and police forces and asked a powerful international humanitarian intervention in Kosova to help the civilian population and avoid a catastrophe. /b.j/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Fourteen Kosova Albanians arrive in Has

The new comers were immediately enrolled and accommodated by the local power authorities in families.

The number of the Kosova refugees, escaping Serb violence and terror, settled in the district of Has, has reached some 300 people. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] A new modern line for processing milk

According to its owner, Rrok Rroku, 3 years ago he started his activity with a simple cheese dairy and later invested for the construction of this line with Italian technology.

Actually every day it processes 25 000 kg milk, where are produced 5- 6 kinds of cheese and other production of milk like butter, cream, yogurt etc.

Production of cheese reaches to 150 000 kg per month. Over 3 000 farmers gather their milk in this line, with favourable prices./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Changes in retail prices for food productions

Average prices were lowered mainly for cereals and dairy production, while those of vegetables and imported productions have suffered a rise.

Wheat and maize prices were lowered together with white cheese and that produced in village.

Retail prices of vegetables and imported eggs were sold with a higher price. So tomatoes from 43.0 lek/kg a week ago, were sold this week at 44.1 lek/kg while imported eggs were this week at 13.3 from 12.9 a week ago.

Meat was sold with the highest price in Lushnja at 660.6 lek/kg while the lowest price was in Shkodra at 550.0 lek/kg./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] A fund of 18 million lek for Macukull aqueduct

Construction of this aqueduct, includes spreading of 5 km of pipe lines. It will furnish potable water for 800 families of one of the biggest villages of this mountainous area, nearly 1 500 metre above the sea level.

Private construction firm "Bushati", which has won the tender, has realised until now about 20 % of construction works and offers assurances to finish it in proper time, but it has sometimes had problems with owner of land where this pipe line will go through.

This is the third project funded by ADF in Macukull commune. The first two were finished last year and were for the reconstruction of two roads./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Milo says Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified

Foreign Minister Milo, in an in exclusive interview with ATA said that the situation in Kosova is very grave and the military machine of Milosevic is not putting an end to its atrocities.

"Milosevic's provocations have, for several times, also reached Albania's territory and intend to involve it in the conflict, but we have responded to this situation with calm and self-restraint, avoiding these traps erected by Belgrade," said Milo.

Commenting the political developments in Kosova and the problems of its political class, Milo said: "The Albanian political factor is showing its own traditional shortcomings, that in the most delicate moments is does not know to orientate itself, to be unified. It is now facing more difficult days than several months ago, which has caused that in the western chancelleries credibility in this policy is waning. We will support the negotiating team of Rugova for as long as it is considered a kernel which can be joined by other political elements, such as those of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA)".

Referring to the political status of Kosova, Milo said that this is in the hands of the political leadership of the Kosova Albanians and that the Albanian government has often given its own advise in this respect, but the Albanian political factor of Kosova should as soon as possible formulate a clear proposal for the political status of Kosova, so that the International Community, too, is clear about the options of the Albanians.

As to the temporary suspension of the diplomatic activity of the U.S. embassy in Tirana, Milo said: "We have official guarantee that the reduction of work in this embassy is aimed only at protecting the lives of the U.S. citizens in Albania and that this measure was taken after anonymous warnings of possible acts of terrorism. Such warnings have also troubled our embassies in various countries of the world, confirming the possibility of violent acts against the U.S. embassy and Albania".

Milo said that the level of relations between Albania and the U.S. continues to be very good and the U.S. fully supports Albania in its efforts to stabilise the situation at home, resolve the Kosova issue and further develop democracy.

"No U.S. project for Albania has been suspended. A concrete aid is also being given in the preparations for the International Conference on Albania, expected to be held in Tirana in the last ten days of October," said Milo, stressing that the Albanian government is taking measures to secure all the foreign embassies in Tirana.

Referring to the law on the visa regime for the foreign citizens coming to Albania Milo said:

"The irresponsible, emotional and subjective policy of Berisha lifted without motive the visa regime for all foreigners, also for those coming from countries of no economic benefit for Albania. As a result of this uncontrolled flood of foreigners, suspected elements and commodities took shelter in Albania."

Milo said that the change of this law is urgent, therefore the Ministry of Institutional Reform is preparing a new draft-law on the regime of checking entry to Albania.

"Our position on the occurring incidents was also endorsed by the Arab countries (also on the extradition of the Egyptian citizens) whose ambassadors were met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the head of the department covering the Arabian countries.

The ambassadors confirmed the support of the countries they represent for the Albanian government stands and the wish to further develop the relations between Albania and the Arabian countries which make up a considerable potential," said Milo. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] A train man killed in a crash of two goods trains

Gjergji Zonja, official of General Directory of Railways in Durres, told ATA that the crash between two trains transporting goods, happened at about 13:00 local time. One of the trains transporting 527 tons of coal, had left Durres at 11:35 while the second, transporting building materials, had left Rrogozhina and was directed to Durres at 12:20.

Zonja explains that the crash was result of a black out of electrical energy, which resulted in interruption of radio communication between train stations of Kavaja and Lekaj.

The crash resulted in a victim, the train man Mihal Myzyri, who was operating locomotive no. 1546, leaving from Durres, and there were also three heavily damaged wagons./pas/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] About 5 000 narcotic plants destroyed in Albania

Spokesman of ministry of Public Order told ATA that during an operation in village Patos-Fshat, were destroyed about 2 000 plants of Cannabis, planted in personal gardens.

On the same day in village Llakatund, Vlora, were uprooted and destroyed 2 500 plants of Cannabis. According to spokesman, during recent actions of these forces, in Llakatund are destroyed about 6 000 plants.

About 100 plants of Cannabis were also destroyed on Wednesday in village Topojan, Elbasani district.

Legal procedures have started against those people who have planted drugs./pas/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Serbs burn down 31 villages in Kline commune

The Albanian population has also fled the city of Kline, where many houses have been torched, while vehicles do not move on the Kline-Prishtine, Kline-Gjakova amd Kline-Skenderaj roads as they are blocked by Serbian military and police roadblocks.

Over the past three days shelling has continued non-stop in many villages of the Kline commune and Albanian self-defence forces have put up resistance in the villages of Leskoc, Kosh, and Vranoc.

Fighting is going on also in the areas of Jashanice, Jelloc, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Doberdol, Ujmir and Cabiq, according to the Kosova Information Centre. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Religious communities in Shkoder condemn explosion in Orthodox Church

The three religious communities in the city considered this act "deliberate, which aims to damage the harmony and peaceful cohabitation among religious".

In a press release, the pastor of the only Orthodox Church in Shkoder, Father Aleksander Petani, condemned this ugly act, which, he said, "was committed by irresponsible people, inhabitants of the dark".

Petani expressed the belief that "despite aims of those who placed the explosive, we the orthodox will follow the road of understanding ans sincere will that has always characterized the relations among the three religions in our city".

He said that today the workers have begun to repair the damages to the church and in two-three days will resume religious services.

The Orthodox Church of Shkoder was built two years ago with timber material at the city's centre.

The works for the construction of a new church are expected to begin soon on the same site.

The explosion which took place at 02.50 on Wednesday has damaged the alter and the back part of the church. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Milo says Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified

Foreign Minister Milo, in an in exclusive interview with ATA said that the situation in Kosova is very grave and the military machine of Milosevic is not putting an end to its atrocities.

"Milosevic's provocations have, for several times, also reached Albania's territory and intend to involve it in the conflict, but we have responded to this situation with calm and self-restraint, avoiding these traps erected by Belgrade," said Milo.

Commenting the political developments in Kosova and the problems of its political class, Milo said: "The Albanian political factor is showing its own traditional shortcomings, that in the most delicate moments is does not know to orientate itself, to be unified. It is now facing more difficult days than several months ago, which has caused that in the western chancelleries credibility in this policy is waning. We will support the negotiating team of Rugova for as long as it is considered a kernel which can be joined by other political elements, such as those of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA)".

Referring to the political status of Kosova, Milo said that this is in the hands of the political leadership of the Kosova Albanians and that the Albanian government has often given its own advise in this respect, but the Albanian political factor of Kosova should as soon as possible formulate a clear proposal for the political status of Kosova, so that the International Community, too, is clear about the options of the Albanians.

As to the temporary suspension of the diplomatic activity of the U.S. embassy in Tirana, Milo said: "We have official guarantee that the reduction of work in this embassy is aimed only at protecting the lives of the U.S. citizens in Albania and that this measure was taken after anonymous warnings of possible acts of terrorism. Such warnings have also troubled our embassies in various countries of the world, confirming the possibility of violent acts against the U.S. embassy and Albania".

Milo said that the level of relations between Albania and the U.S. continues to be very good and the U.S. fully supports Albania in its efforts to stabilise the situation at home, resolve the Kosova issue and further develop democracy.

"No U.S. project for Albania has been suspended. A concrete aid is also being given in the preparations for the International Conference on Albania, expected to be held in Tirana in the last ten days of October," said Milo, stressing that the Albanian government is taking measures to secure all the foreign embassies in Tirana.

Referring to the law on the visa regime for the foreign citizens coming to Albania Milo said:

"The irresponsible, emotional and subjective policy of Berisha lifted without motive the visa regime for all foreigners, also for those coming from countries of no economic benefit for Albania. As a result of this uncontrolled flood of foreigners, suspected elements and commodities took shelter in Albania."

Milo said that the change of this law is urgent, therefore the Ministry of Institutional Reform is preparing a new draft-law on the regime of checking entry to Albania.

"Our position on the occurring incidents was also endorsed by the Arab countries (also on the extradition of the Egyptian citizens) whose ambassadors were met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the head of the department covering the Arabian countries.

The ambassadors confirmed the support of the countries they represent for the Albanian government stands and the wish to further develop the relations between Albania and the Arabian countries which make up a considerable potential," said Milo. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Bishops' Conference of Albania says any act against Church is also against God

A press release of this conference says that this event has deeply shocked all Catholic believers.

"The church is the temple of God. Any act against the Church is an act against the God. Our people have proven well what it means to be against God, and are they are still suffering the consequences," says the press release.

"In the name of all Catholic believers, the bishoprics of Albania condemn this grave act against the Sacred Temple and voice our full regret wishing God be the real judge of the culprits," ends the press release. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian caught for drug-trafficking

Chief of crime police Alfred Mensuri told ATA that Musai, from Sarande, was waiting for the vehicle that would take his cannabis to Greece.

Twenty days ago, police in Sarande uncovered about 400 kg of narcotic plants destined for the Greek market. The last amount caught, according to police confirmation, came from Vlore and was to be sent to Corfu. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Tirane University included in all-European programs

According to Vincani, the aim of these projects is that the Albanian university diplomas be recognized and accepted in the universities of other countries.

Included in the PHARE projects are 11 Central and East European countries with the same specifics as Albania regarding the recognition of the diplomas and the changes in the structures for the valuation of university knowledge.

This ambitious program is led by some powerful organizations such as the university state organization "Nafik" in Netherlands, the London Open University and other well-known universities of France, Denmark, Slovenia, with experience in the institutional valuation of the higher education.

The all-European project has started in 1995 with a total of 3.5 million ECU for the 11 countries included in the PHARE Program and is expected to end this year. mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] 1000 cannabis roots ruined in Gorican (Berat)

A source of the Police Department said to ATA that drug specialists have also other roots of cannabis to ruin in other places.

Now, the same source said, the cannabis has already ripened therefore specialized police forces have undertaken intensive acts to ruin it. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] CE to help Albanian judiciary and police

"The Council of Europe aims to intensify this cooperation in partnership with the European Commission," says a message that Tarkyz sent Thursday to Albanian PM Fatos Nano.

The message highlights the observation over the past years by Albanian authorities of the moratorium not to exercise capital punishment and expresses the will of the CE that Albania does not reapply death penalty. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] U.S. envoy for Kosove Christopher Hill meets Rugova

Attending the meeting also was the chairman of the Kosove Negotiating Group, Fehmi Agani. /mima/xh/

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