Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-23

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] "MCM Cabej" takes part in "Translation and communication through Balkan literature" in Ohrid

[02] Consultative meeting with foreign donors held -Preservation of institutional stability in Albania, first conclusion-

[03] Ministry of Agriculture put off meetings with WB, GTZ and USAID

[04] Dark windows should be removed from vehicles

[05] Nearly 1 500 more pupils in Tirana

[06] Serbian forces burning villages of Drenice

[07] Durres in its 2625th anniversary of its founding

[08] Police built-up in Mitrovice

[09] Among the Kosovars in Has

[10] Fighting round mountains of Cicavice continues

[11] Albanian Development Fund towards its institutional reorganization

[12] 19 965 employed people in projects of public works

[13] Draft law for vineyards and wines for the first time in Albania

[14] Gangs that stormed Albanian Parliament were led by DP deputies - Parliament Speaker

[15] Kline: More than 20.000 refugees in lawns and mountains of Vuēak

[16] Mother of 12 children together with her 5 year old daughter die

[17] Albanian Agrarian Party resolute to settle constitutional order

[18] Folk chorus "Tirane" awarded Gold Medal in Barcelona Festival

[19] CE draft resolution - another step towards complete support of Albania by International Community - Gjinushi

[20]

[21] Significant victory of candidates of the Grouping Alliance for State

[01] "MCM Cabej" takes part in "Translation and communication through Balkan literature" in Ohrid

Macedonia-based "Balkan" foundation and "Culture" publishing house are the organisers of the three-day activity, in which 20 scholars, writers, translators and experts of Balkan literature will take part.

"Balkan" foundation is founded by the publishing houses of seven Balkan countries, also including those of Albania.

MCM Cabej", ran by Brikena Cabej, was founded in 1994. It publishes fiction and children's books./f.n./lola/lm/

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[02] Consultative meeting with foreign donors held -Preservation of institutional stability in Albania, first conclusion-

"Albania government's programme on public investment (PIP) for 1998- 2001 has created a favourable climate for foreign donors and has helped implementation of development projects," says a press release, distributed after the meeting.

"The meeting was part of the frequent meetings held with institutions and foreign donors. I also intends to make evident the achievements and shortcomings noticed so far," the release says.

Minister Ermelinda Meksi familiarised the participants with a series of issues dealing with the management and coordination of aid to realise important projects of development in Albania, with the ongoing performance, shortcomings observed and possible avenues to overcome them.

This will also help with the preparations underway for the meeting of the donor nations' foreign ministers, due in Tirana soon.

The representatives of the diplomatic crops and international institutions such as the World bank, European Commission, UNDP and other institutions expressed their very constructive opinions and made a series of concrete proposals.

The conclusions of the meetings include preservation of institutional stability in Albania, strengthening of work in the organisations dealing with the coordination of aid, responsibility in implementing and monitoring projects and application of the effective management techniques in all stages of the project's development, gradual integration of public investment program in the state budget and strengthening of the existing centers which manage and coordinate aid and projects at the respective ministries.

Emphasis was put on the need to continue these kinds of meetings. A meeting on Public Order issues was considered significant in a near future. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Ministry of Agriculture put off meetings with WB, GTZ and USAID

In yesterday's meeting, Lufter Xhuveli, Minister of MAF made a summery of the work done up to now and stressed the fact that "the events of last days in Tirana influenced only on the postponement of the meetings with representatives of World Bank, GTZ (German Foundation) and USAID," spokesman added.

MAF had planned to hold these meetings in advance of that with foreign donors in order that first to treat the problems of agriculture with specialists of this Ministry and then to put them forward to the donors'meeting.

The meeting with representatives of World Bank would reconfirm the credit granted for rehabilitation of irrigation system. New credits for Albanian farmers would be signed in the meeting with GTZ and USAID would extend the work in different projects.

The staff of the Ministry planed to hold these meetings in October./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Dark windows should be removed from vehicles

The "Shqiponja" patrol-cars on Tuesday also checked 27 vehicles, moving in the capital with paper dressed windows to darken their inside.

"The papers were immediately removed from 27 vehicles," the spokesman explained, stressing that the Tirana police department has called all drivers traveling with dark windows to remove them as the police will impose fines, according to the respective legal provisions. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Nearly 1 500 more pupils in Tirana

"The number of the pupils is increased especially in the zones of Kamza, Yzberish, Vore, west and northwest of Tirana where the enrollment in compulsory 8-year education still keeps on," said Engjellush Mallta at District Education Department.

Some 2 810 pupils, 4-5 years old, are enrolled in the preschool education level of local villages and communes and some 27 000 pupils in the 8-year education level. 2 210 pupils are enrolled in secondary schools and 48 in agriculture middle school.

Mallta said that some 31 415 pupils attend 98 8-year education schools and 18 secondary schools.

Two new school buildings, with 20 classrooms necessary for a capacity of 1 000 pupils, were built up in Paskuqan and Bathore, overpopulated zones because of inhabitants coming last years from northeast districts of Albania.

Some 1 743 teachers and kindergarten-teachers work in the schools of 16 communes of Tirana./pas/lola/

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[06] Serbian forces burning villages of Drenice

Meanwhile the population continue to stay in mountains, are threatened by Serbian artillery shelling, according to the Kosova Information Center (KIC), referring to sources from the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms in Skenderaj.

Meanwhile a source in Qirez told KIC that from the positions erected near ferro-nickel mine, the Serb forces have bombarded the villages of Dobroshefc, Cikatove, Gllanaselle and Baice. He said that the villages are engulfed by flames with Serbian forces moving towards them. /pas/lm/

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[07] Durres in its 2625th anniversary of its founding

This amphitheater dates back to the Roman ruling of Emperor Adrian and was built by the middle of the second century of our era, several years after the Colosseum was built in Rome.

The strong earthquakes, which gravely damaged the city in the medieval period, buried the amphitheater. Therefore, none of the travellers or renowned archaeologists, who visited Durrres in the late middle-ages and in modern times such as Evliya Tchelebi, Liri, Hanni, Evansi, Tezey, have mentioned the presence of a magnificent monument such as the antique amphitheater in the city.

Only Marin Barlet, renowned Albanian historiographer of the 16th century, exploiting the ancient written sources has underlined that "..there is a arena or amphitheater built with an admirable wisdom and skill."

According to archaeologist Vangjel Toci, who has the uncovered the city's amphitheater, this written testimony as well as signals from inhabitants of this area on landslide, immediate water losses and the oval structure of the buildings in the zone led to the discovery of the biggest antique monument in 1966.

Located at the city's centre, the amphitheater measures 127x103m, while the arena has an elliptical surface of 63x39m.

By the end of the '80 almost the whole western half of the amphitheater had been uncovered and during numerous expeditions significant archaeological, anthropological and historical discoveries have been carried out. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Police built-up in Mitrovice

According to the sources, the Serb tribunal of Mitrovice has started investigations in absentia against four Albanians, charged with "hostile activity".

Investigation have also started against three Albanians, accused of "terrorism" the Serb press reports. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Among the Kosovars in Has

The increase of the people coming from Kosova has changed a lot of things in Hasi district, northeast of Albania.

"Of importance is that we have changed the way of living," Zenel Kastrati, mayor of municipality, said.

Influx of refugees from Kosova in this district through border crossings of Dobrune and Vllah, was especially notable after the mining of the border and its reenforcement with Serbian military and police forces in Tropoja (north of Hasi).

"Some 2 400 people have passed up to now in this zone, most of whom have stayed for 2-3 Days and then left. The remaining persons, nearly 700 people, are settled in the generous families of the villages of Golaj commune," Xhemil Shahu, coordinator of UN. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for Kukes and Hasi districts said.

It is difficult to find families in Hasi district (the border goes through Hasi highland) without having kinship relations with the inhabitants beyond the border.

When you talk to these people coming from Kosova you closely feel their drama. A drama in itself is the fright they have to tell their names.

One of them, staying in the house of Sadik Koka, said that 13 members of his family are imprisoned as "supporters of Kosova Liberation Army (KLA)". In the meantime one of his brothers, Vellazenim Jetishi was killed and the other, Qerimi was wounded. He learned from the last refugees that his village, Bece, of Gjakova commune was cruelty shelled and only some old people have remained there.

Nazmija from Junik, with her two daughters (5 and 14 years old) for 4 months moved from one village to another until she reached Has. She does not dear recall the horror she passed through.

Hasi district, with a population of 25 thousand people and a border line of 25,6 km, had an advantage, the custom of Qafe-Prushi. This custom operated until 1948, and later only for chromium transport vehicles to Yugoslav. About '92 small traders from Gjakova (about 10 km far from the border) began to pass there, but not for a long time, because in July 1996 Yugoslav side closed the custom without any explanation.

Despite of the lack of the investments in this district, the increase of the number of people coming from Kosova made the people be closer to each other. Food articles prices also did not changed.

Although, with the coming of winter, the number of the refugees increases every day, only a few remain in this district.

Most of them leave for lowland areas and some want to go to the west. And this is another Albanian drama," the mayor of Kruma Municipality said./s.sh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Fighting round mountains of Cicavice continues

Numerous war means and troops of the Yugoslav Army and Serb police and paramilitary troops that have encircled the regions of the Rrafsh of Kosove and Drenice, have restarted bombing the outskirts of Cicavice. At the same time, both the villages on the eastern and western parts of Cicavice mountains are also being hit.

According to the Human Rights Council in Kosove, there are nearly 100 000 people, most of whom children, women and elderly people in the mountains of Cicavice. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Development Fund towards its institutional reorganization

Within November this year, according to a decision of the Council of Ministers, the whole legal framework for the institutional reorganization of the Albanian Development Fund must be prepared. The Fund, which so far has not supported the private business, will now attach special priority to the extension of the financial support for the agricultural production through crediting the local farmers.

The working group led by Berberi, through meetings and discussions with leaders and specialists of French financial institutions, will complete the judicial and financial framework for the reorganization of the Albanian Development Fund. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] 19 965 employed people in projects of public works

Actually, projects of public works are being realised in all the districts of Albania. Hence there are 17 projects adopted for Berat, 14 projects for Bulqize, 3 for Delvinė, 6 for Devoll, 6 for Diber, 8 for Durrės, 14 for Elbasan, 10 for Fier, 2 for Gjirokaster, 8 for Gramsh, 19 for Has, 7 for Kavajė, 3 for Kolonjė, 6 for Korēė, 7 for Krujė, 2 for Kuēovė, 20 for Kukės, 16 for Laē, 7 for Lezhė, 13 for Librazhd, 8 for Lushnjė, 8 for Malėsinė e Madhe, 3 for Mallakastrėn, 8 for Mat, 6 for Peqinin, 3 for Pėrmet, 5 for Pogradec, 5 for Pukė, 3 for Sarandė, 16 for Shkoder, 11 for Skrapar, 11 for Tepelenėn, 16 for Tiranė, 11 for Tropojė dhe 18 projects are adopted for Vlorė.

The same sources report that a supplementary fund worth 704 million lek has been demanded for the realisation of the program of public works, and in which also 17 336 other people are expected to be employed. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Draft law for vineyards and wines for the first time in Albania

The draft covers the criteria and norms of production of wines of European standards, various problems for the protection and fight against piracy of production of wines, etc.

After remarks and suggestions made by the members of the commission of the draft law and specialists of the ministry of Agriculture, it was decided that draft law be sent to parliament for approval. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Gangs that stormed Albanian Parliament were led by DP deputies - Parliament Speaker

"It was terrible to see how armed groups were led by deputies who stormed their headquarters," said Gjinushi to ATA on Wednesday.

During the armed attack of Sept.14 on state institutions, a great damage was caused to the premises of the Parliament and its presidency. Hence, besides the ruining of the building and the stealing of equipment there, also all the modern computers' system installed with the assistance of the U.S. Congress was destroyed; the data of the archives, legislation, press office, research sector and the library were also ruined.

The whole material base, an asset of the Parliament, such as 50 computers, fax and photocopying machines and other equipment were stolen.

In the mean time, the Parliament administration has adopted several measures to make possible the normal functioning of the Parliament. So, the necessary equipment was installed in the press office and in that for foreign relations which are indispensable to keep contact with the Albanian and international public opinion, along with the rehabilitation of some other offices which serve for a normal work of the Parliament. /mima/xh/

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[15] Kline: More than 20.000 refugees in lawns and mountains of Vuēak

Sources from the branch of Democratic League of Kosova in Kline, referring to the Ceter of Information of Kosova, report that 20. 000 inhabitants, mainly children, women and elderly people from villages of Skenderaj and Gllogoci were obliged to leave their houses and settle in the lawns and mountains of Vuēak./P.Ta/A.A/

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[16] Mother of 12 children together with her 5 year old daughter die

This tragic event happened near the village of Shkabaj, situated only 2 kilometers on southwest of Prishtina when the mother of 12 children, Zoje Prenku, left on foot for Prishtina because her village was being shelled and burned by the Serb forces./pas/A.A/

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[17] Albanian Agrarian Party resolute to settle constitutional order

Speaking before journalists, Secretary general of the Agrarian Party, said that " although the coup d'etat failed, the criminal terrorist acts are continuing".

Osmani said that the Agrarian Party, as an active member in the government coalition, backs up strongly the state structures and all the legitimate institutions in their multiplanned activity.

He stressed that "the Agrarian Party will play its role and will keep its part in the three-month action to eliminate the consequences of the failed tries for coup d'etat for resettling the order and judging the persons who have taken place in the criminal acts violating the institutions and using weapons against the state"./mima/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Folk chorus "Tirane" awarded Gold Medal in Barcelona Festival

"The festival will be organized every year in Barcelona under the auspices of the association "Friends of Sacred Music" financed by the Vatican," said ATA the director of the Cultural department in Tirane town hall, Shaqir Recvelaj.

The chorus consisting of veteran artists of the Folk Songs and Dances Ensemble and conducted by Xhemal Laci, represented Albania with some of the pearls of the people's music creativeness, such as Shkodra songs, songs of Central Albania and polyphonic songs of Southern Albania.

Twenty two Albanian member chorus competed with representatives from 12 states among which Brazil, Russia, Lithuania, Germany, the Czech Republic, Rumania, which was awarded the first prize of the festival. /mima/xh/

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[19] CE draft resolution - another step towards complete support of Albania by International Community - Gjinushi

"We hail CE commitments to strongly condemn the violence exerted in Albania during the failed coup d'etat," said Gjinushi to ATA on Wednesday.

"Troika has dot the i's and crossed the t's regarding fundamental issues of this problem, hence, it does not recognize any government which comes to power through violence and names directly Sali Berisha as the one who caused the event in Albania, and whom it (Troika) threatened directly with political isolation," said Gjinushi.

Albanian Parliament Speaker said that the governing coalition and the government itself will soon reflect following the stance of the Troika. But "for the moment, our immediate task is complete elimination of the consequences of the abortive coup and the normalization of the situation," said Gjinushi.

"Political order was spoiled here, hence increasing the political terror by a part of the opposition which does not recognize the legitimate institutions for a long time now," declared Gjinushi.

Gjinushi, also the leader of one of the main parties of the Alliance for the State, explained that after the situation is calmed, "we shall make efforts and have talks within the coalition to reflect over the political stands of the international community for changes in the governing policy.

But Gjinushi stated categorically that the changes will not be fussed with, but they will be made step by step after the situation is eased and in an institutional way, by sticking to the Alliance for the State. /s.sh/xh/

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[20]

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Significant victory of candidates of the Grouping Alliance for State

According to this Commission, so far only the official protocols of the municipality of Vlore have arrived in the commission, according to which the candidate of the Alliance for the State has won 62 per cent of the votes, of the commune of Dhiver (Sarande) where the candidate of the Alliance for State has received 78 per cent of the votes, of the commune of Lure (Diber) in which the candidate of the Alliance for the State has taken 54 per cent of the votes and in the commune of Lazarat (Gjirokaster) with 81 votes for the grouping of Union for Democracy.

Whereas according to the official outcome of this commission on Monday, the Alliance for the State has won in the Municipality of Patos with 71 per cent of the votes, the municipality of Roskovec with 64 per cent of the votes, that of Ura Vajgurore with 77 per cent of the votes and Greshice with 64 per cent of the votes. While the grouping Union for Democracy has won in the municipality of Kavaje with 73 per cent of the votes, the commune of Proger with 51 per cent of the votes and in that of Bushtrice with 54 per cent of the votes.

According to CEC results, the municipality of Vlore and that of Shijak will have a runoff the coming Sunday. In the commune of Vore the runoff ballot will be between the candidates of the Alliance for the State and the Union for Democracy, while in the Municipality of Shijak between the United Right wing and the Union for Democracy. /s.sh./xh/

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