Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-10-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albania, Germany voice will to deepen cooperation

[02] Serb soldiers open fire on border unit in Zogaj, Tropoje

[03] rectors of plastic factory ask reviewing of customs tax

[04] Some 20 kg of cannabis sativa seized in Elbasan

[05] Toxic residues removed from suburbs of Durres

[06] Albanian PM Majko in favour of NATO intervention in Kosove

[07] Albania puts its air and sea spaces in service of NATO

[08] Serb have transformed village Butovc into an army depot

[09] Water pipelines of Italian Falcione firm to improve drinking water supply of Tirane

[10] Four persons arrested for rape and prostitution support

[11] Albanian Republicans to support new government in restoring law and order - Mediu

[12] Albanian Committee for Foreign Trade Procedures' Facility

[13] Albania, member of the Balkan Regional Centre for Encouragement of Trade

[14] Trade - New business preferred

[15] Parliament approves new Constitution in principle

[16] Gjinushi: Today's vote, affirmation of democratic process

[17] Serb forces concentrates in Kosove border belt with Albania

[18] U.S. welcomes Albania's new government

[19] We will do our best for Kosova issue to predominate Antalya summit - Milo

[20] Affected citizens to be supplied with new passports

[01] Albania, Germany voice will to deepen cooperation

TIRANA, Oct. 9 (ATA) - Albania's President Rexhep Meidani met Friday with the deputy of the German Parliament, dr. Schvarz Schiling, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, and also international mediator during the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The humanitarian crisis in Kosova and the situation of the Albanian refugees in different countries of the region were in the focus of this meeting, President's press and information department reported to ATA.

Meidani stressed that the forceful displacement of the Albanian population in Kosova from their territories testified the genocide and severe cleansing of Belgrade.

President Meidani appreciated every act of the international community which would immediately stop the violence against the Albanian population in Kosova.

After expressing his gratitude for the humanitarian aid that Germany has offered to the Kosova Albanians, President Meidani said that only a diplomatic, political and military operation would create the conditions for the stability in the region.

The German Parliamentarian Schiling accepted the fact that the international community did not react on time to avoid the catastrophe he saw during his recent visit in Kosova. He said that he feels responsible for the humanitarian aid that Germany should offer for the Albanians in Kosova and Albania, as well as for the Albanian emigrants in Germany.

Both parties hailed and expressed the will to deepen the cooperation and bilateral assistance. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Serb soldiers open fire on border unit in Zogaj, Tropoje

The spokesman of the Ministry of Order reported to ATA that on Friday, at 12:00, in the sector of the border point of Zogaj in the district of Tropoja, in the border post C 13/1, the Serb military forces opened fire on the Albanian border unit, which was 150 m inside the Albanian territory.

The spokesman added that at 13:30 on the same day, during the time that the group of the border police went to the spot, the Serb soldiers shot by fire weapons against them.

The Albanian border forces did not respond the fire but took up defensive positions.

No one was reported wounded from the volleys of Serb soldiers, except several cattle grazing nearby.

This is the second case during the last two days that the Serb military and police forces open fire on the Albanian border units.

The Serb soldiers opened fire two days ago on the border unit and inhabitants of Dobrune village in the district of Has. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] rectors of plastic factory ask reviewing of customs tax

DURRES, Oct. 10 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: The managers of the plastic factory in Durres asked the competent bodies to review the customs tax for the import of the plastic material.

The administration director of this factory, turned now into a share- holding company, Met Borshi, told ATA that the customs code favours the merchants who import plastic materials. The tax for the raw material is 10%, or twice as much for the articles imported by the traders, explained Borshi.

The factory pays 300 USD for every ton of plastic sheets. Thus, the cost of the product is higher, stressed the administration director.

The plastic factory, with 476 shareholders, all its workers, produces plastic sheets, tubes, housing items and others. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Some 20 kg of cannabis sativa seized in Elbasan

The spokesman of the Ministry of Order told ATA that on Friday at 23:00, the roadblock of the Elbasan police commissariat uncovered 20 kilos of narcotic plant (cannabis sativa) in a vehicle "Benz" with number plate of Elbasan.

The police escorted to the police commissariat the three persons traveling inside this car, the citizens Qani Sula, inhabitant of Linze, Seit Sinani inhabitant of Shkozet and Dervish Saraci, inhabitant of Tirane, sentenced once for illegal possession of weapons. They aimed at transporting the narcotic plant in Greece. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Toxic residues removed from suburbs of Durres

The chief of the Regional Environmental Agency in the Prefecture of Durres, Ilir Qesja, told ATA that the removal of these toxic residues was enabled by a financial aid of the Italian government and the contribution of the independent municipal budget. The company of the Sea Cleaning has started to package in plastic sacks and remove the residues of lindane and bichromate to the stock house of Bishti i Pallse since Wednesday.

Some hundreds of chemical substance are in the suburbs of Durres since the chemical works, constructed by the end of years '70, did not function by causing an incalculable ecological damage. The value of the damage has increased after this area was populated by inhabitants coming from the northeastern regions of Albania.

According to Qese, the current removal is the first stage of the total cleaning of this area. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albanian PM Majko in favour of NATO intervention in Kosove

In a meeting with a delegation of the German Bundestag led by the chairman of the sub-commission for human rights and humanitarian assistance, Christian Schiling, Majko stressed that "this is the only language that Milosevic knows."

PM Majko talked with the German delegation of the situation created in Kosove and the possible assistance for the displaced Kosovars.

The Government is committed, said Majko, to assist the Albanians who have come to Albania and for this it is cooperating with the International community and specialized organizations for the refugees.

The deputy of the German Bundestag, wishing good work to the government of PM Majko, said that Germany will continue the programme of assistance for the Albanian Government and that it is open to expand cooperation also in other fields of mutual interest. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albania puts its air and sea spaces in service of NATO

As the spokesman of the Prime Minister reports, the Government of the Republic of Albania decided to put its air and sea spacee in service of the North Atlantic Organization in case a NATO military intervention is needed to halt Serb violence in Kosove.

The decision was adopted following the discussion of a proposal by the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Albania to facilitate NATO military air and sea operations in case NATO decides to intervene to resolve the conflict in Kosove in implementation of the resolution 1199 of the U.N. Security Council on Kosove.

The Government of the Republic of Albania adopted the proposal "on the use of its air space and airports by NATO military helicopters and aircraft up to Dec.31, 1998 for the realization of their activities to help solve the crisis of Kosove and safeguard the security in the region."

The Albanian Government decided to approve "navigation access of the territorial and inland waters and the use of sea ports of the Republic of Albania by the warships of the North Treaty Organization up to Dec.31,1998 to carry out their acts to assistance the mission of security in the region."

The Albanian Government has charged the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Order and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to observe the implementation of this decision. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Serb have transformed village Butovc into an army depot

Village Butovc looks like a great army depot. Military analysts say that from this strategic spot one can see completely the Rrafsh of Kosove and Kacanik, therefore the deployment of all this war arsenal poses a great threat to the population of the city of Prishtine and other regions of Kosove, writes newspaper Bujku. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Water pipelines of Italian Falcione firm to improve drinking water supply of Tirane

"This would greatly improve the water supply of Tirane centre," said the spokesman of the Tirane town-hall, adding that Falcione is 'pawning' the functioning the water pipelines it has already laid, asking from the Albanian state to compensate it for the damage caused over the March '97 unrest when some accessories where stolen.

Last year, an agreement was reached between the Italian firm, the respective ministry and the water system enterprise to put into operation the most indispensable parts of the water network.

The pipelines laid by Falcione, with a 800 mm diameter and made of expensive material, are worth millions of dollars.

The water pipelines of the city of Tirane have started to be laid since 1938 and on. As a result of the amortization, the water losses in the system are as high as 50 per cent. This system is unable to face the high water pressure expected from the new reservoir built in Boville, north of Tirane, But on the other hand, also the new pipelines may be damaged if they are not put to work. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Four persons arrested for rape and prostitution support

Spokesman of Public Order Ministry told ATA that on Friday the police of Kucove, in cooperation with that of Berat, arrested the citizens Edjon Papa, 22, Elidon Zaka, 21, Artan Meta, 21, the three of them inhabitants of Kucove and Gentian Lamcellari, 24, from Berat.

They were arrested, because in cooperation with one another, deceiving and using force, they kidnaped a 16 year-old girl from Kucove and sent her to Athena, where they drugged and raped her. Later they brought her back in Albania, keeping her for one week in the house of Gentian Lancellari in Berat, making the preparations to send her in Italy for prostitution. pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Republicans to support new government in restoring law and order - Mediu

"We will make our contribution to protect and restore order in the country," stated in a news conference on Saturday the chairman of the Albanian Republican Party, Fatmir Mediu.

The Republican leader said that the contribution of his party will be up to the moment that the state fights organized crime.

"Our support will be extended up to the point when the new Albanian Government will fight all links of organized crime in Albania," said Mediu.

Only in case the state manages to part from crime, added Mediu, something which has not been made so far, our support will be complete.

A special place in the new government programme presented to the parliament recently by PM Pandeli Majko, is taken by the measures for the consolidation of the public order and the fight against organized crime. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albanian Committee for Foreign Trade Procedures' Facility

Premier Pandeli Majko signed the foundation of the Albanian Committee for the Facility of the Procedures of Foreign Trade. The Commitee will be headed both by the deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Cooperation and an expert from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

The role of this Committee will be the preparation of the procedures and the respective documentation for the process of transport and trade at international level. The Commitee will prepare and propose these procedures and rules to the respective Ministers. It will also coordinate the work to gather and spread the right information upon the transport and foreign trade formalities, in order to facilitate the procedures.

The Committee will depend on the Ministry of Trade and Economic Cooperation and it will provide facility to Albanian traders and different businessmen. /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania, member of the Balkan Regional Centre for Encouragement of Trade

The Centre will support the drives for the creation of the proper conditions for the encouragement of regional trade. It also aims to expand trade exchanges and mutual cooperation through the improvement of the economic relations between the parties.

The Centre will be directed by an executive committee members of which will be the representatives of the countries participating in the establishment of the Centre.

The agreement for the inauguration of the Centre will be signed by the concerned parties on October 13, 1998 in Antalia of Turkey. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Trade - New business preferred

The trade in Albania keeps attracting most of business activities . According to INSTAT recent statistics most of the acting enterprises deal with trade. Some 31.251 enterprises out of the total 59.956 are engaged in trade. The second place is held by service enterprises. Referring to the same source INSTAT the number of the service enterprises reaches 10.546. Then the activities of transport and industry follow. /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Parliament approves new Constitution in principle

Albanian parliament on Saturday approved the New Constitution of the Republic of Albania in principle.

By 111 votes for and no vote against or abstention, the Albanian deputies, approved the state's fundamental law in principle.

After getting familiarised with the draft presented on October 2 by the parliament's constitutional commission, after sessions for the technical recognition of the project as well as after discussions by the deputies, the voting in principle for the new constitution started at around 14.00.

Before the voting, the heads of the parliamentary groups also expressed their political stands on the constitutional process.

Next week the deputies will start approving the state's fundamental law article by article and approve a new law on referendums to precede the referendum on the draft-constitution, due by the end of November.

The date of the referendum will be set by special decree of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani.

The new constitution was drafted by a special parliamentary commission, which was set up on October 1997 and is headed by two chairmen, respectively Sabri Godo and Arben Imami.

The constitutional process has been boycotted since the beginning by the Democratic Party and its allies of the Union for Democracy. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Gjinushi: Today's vote, affirmation of democratic process

Speaking before reporters, only few moments after 111 deputies voted for the new Constitution, Gjinushi said that "today's vote is an affirmation of that democratic and legal process, which was powerfully supported throughout the time by the International Community. This vote is a correction to those shortcomings noticed in the referendum of 1994."

Gjinushi, describing the content of the new constitution as very modern and of international standards, said that "this document is also fruit of the experience created over the past years. The new constitution guarantees a genuine parliamentary republic".

Gjinushi said that during the discussion article by article of the state's fundamental law, due next week by parliament, the necessary corrections will be carried out, through the amendments presented by the constitutional commission.

By 111 votes for and no vote against or abstention, the People's Assembly approved in principle the Constitution drafted by the special parliamentary commission, which has been working since October 1997. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Serb forces concentrates in Kosove border belt with Albania

Many Yugoslav military forces are concentrated at Has, Prizeren, the border region with Albania. There has never been such a big concentration of forces, sources from Council for the Defence of Human Rights said to ATA.

Since yesterday the number of the Serb forces has increased and they have laid an iron siege to the region, the sources said. A motorized convoy with weaponry, antiaircraft and many military vehicles, passing through Gjonaj village, headed for the villages Kojushe and Mazrek of Has, very near the border, while another convoy headed for the border village of Mashec.

Since yesterday afternoon some other heavy forces of the Yugoslav army have established in the village of Dobrushe about two kilometers near Albania's border.

The latest reports say that the ground troops of Yugoslav army are moving and taking up positions around the villages of Planaj, Milaj and Gorozhupe, along Albania's border belt. Serb forces in the village of Kojushe abducted men and boys and are keeping them together closed in a house, and at a time when at least 7 persons have been sent to the police station in Prizeren.

Sources from Gjakove say that many Serb forces are concentrated near the Albania's border. Two Albanian children were killed, one 15-years-old in the village of Prush and the other 13-years-old in the village of Rugove, where heavy Serb military, premilitary and police forces are concentrated.

Since two days ago the Yugoslav police forces have issued the ultimatum for the inhabitants of the village of Zylfaj, Gjakove to stay inside their houses from 17.00 in the afternoon till 9.00 in the morning. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] U.S. welcomes Albania's new government

The United States warmly welcomes Pandeli Majko, the new Prime Minister of Albania, and his cabinet.

A press release of the U.S. embassy in Tirana, on October 9, quotes a statement by James Foley, deputy spokesman of the U.S. State Department, which says that Majko was one of the students' leaders at the time when democracy was established in Albania in 1990-1991.

"As noticed by the U.S. and other members of the 'Friends of Albania' group, the new Majko government presents an important chance for concrete achievements as regards serious political and economic problems facing Albania, including public order, corruption, as well as for the development of a more complete political dialogue between all Albanian constructive political parties."

At the same time, Foley expresses concern that several political forces are not playing a constructive role in building the democracy the Albanian people have long since desired.

He calls on the Democratic and other parties, "which continue these destructive practices, to give up once and for all their calls for violence and lack of stability."

"We encourage these political forces to help develop concrete measures to resolve the country's problems and establish Albania on the road of democratic stability and market economy reform," Foley concludes. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] We will do our best for Kosova issue to predominate Antalya summit - Milo

The summit, due in Antalya of Turkey between October 12 and 13, will gather the Balkan countries to discuss stability and security in the region as well as Balkan cooperation and understanding.

The chief of the Albanian diplomacy, Paskal Milo, who will lead our delegation to this summit, told ATA that "we will do our best so that the Kosova issue not only predominates the summit but also the summit approves a document on Kosova, thus sharing the opinions expressed by international organisations, also including the resolution of the U.N. Security Council as well as the recent decisions drawn by the Contact Group."

Milo hailed the statement of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) that there will be no fighting during the talks, which, according to Milo, testifies to the political maturity of this army.

This decision, said Milo, "has put Milosevic at an awkward position as its asks from the latter to respect the Security Council resolution, regarding the immediate withdrawal of the military and police forces, to guarantee the Albanians' return home and normal conditions for the international humanitarian missions and to allow an international presence that would help development of dialogue and peace process." /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Affected citizens to be supplied with new passports

The problem of invalid passports have made active the respective structures of the Ministry of Order, to help the persons who had regular visas but forged passports.

The sources from this Ministry say that they are making the list of the people, whose passports have been torn by Greek authorities considered as forge.

"In cooperation with Greek Embassy we are working to supply these persons soon with new visas," the sources said.

To come to the aid of the citizens having a problem like this, experts from Ministry of Interior are checking them at the border crossing points, to prevent the possible confrontations with the Greek side.

As reported by our Ministry of Public Order the forged passports became a problem when Greece had access to the Schengen system, which stipulates the cooperation of several European countries to give an end to illegal emigration. The Greek police have received from Italy a list of Albanian passports, which results to be invalid. That is why the passports have been torn at the border crossing points with Greece. /dast/lola/

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