Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-10-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Attorney General - Private speedboats and dinghies to be blocked

[02] Inter-ministerial Economic Policies Committee discusses state budget for 1999

[03] Serb forces withdrawn from several roadblocks in Kosova

[04] Procedures on Durres port privatisation to begin soon

[05] Cigarette smugglers to be brought to justice

[06] EU to grant Albania 30.5 MECU

[07] Build-up of massive premilitary and armaments in Ferizaj military barracks

[08] Deka covers 70% of market

[09] Project to protect birch forest in Shishtavec

[10] Italy provides aid for education

[11] Dervishi proclaimed "Pride of the city"

[12] Textile production to increase over 15% by year end

[13] New organisation of passengers railway transport aimed

[14] Traces of Ataturk apparent as soon as one sets foot on the powerful state he created - Meidani

[15] New lines for olive processing

[16] The exchange rate

[17] Firms that hide goods from customs duties uncovered

[18] Gjallica: 135,8 milliard leks coming from investors

[19] Bulgarian Bank in Tirane

[20] Tough measures to secure international conference on Albania

[01] Attorney General - Private speedboats and dinghies to be blocked

The Attorney General Office on Tuesday proposed to the Government and Parliament the proposal that the movement of the navigation means, dangerous for human lives (dinghies and speedboats), banned through a law with an appropriate period till the situation changes, the Attorney General, Rakipi said to ATA.

Rakipi also said that the proposal foresees to suspend issuing fresh licences for speedboats and dinghies.

"The tragedies, which have often taken place in the sea, prompted us to make this proposal," stressed Rakipi adding that this "crackdown" will continue till the speedboats and dinghies to be used as everywhere in the civilized world.

The Attorney General Office made the proposal following the tragedy, which occurred on Saturday on the west of Sazan island near Vlore, in which three persons died and six others were hospitalized, when a dinghy blew up for yet unknown reasons.

The Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci was on Sunday in the town of Vlore, where he met the persons affected by the misfortune and urged a maximum engagement by Vlore police bodies to carry out the complete inquiries regarding the event. /pas/lola/

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[02] Inter-ministerial Economic Policies Committee discusses state budget for 1999

The inter-ministerial Economic Policy Committee met today, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, and discussed the state budget for 1999, presented by the Finance Ministry, as well as the decision "On restructuring Albpetrol", presented by the Public Economy and Privatisation Ministry.

The Ministry of Public Economy and Privatisation, according to its minister Ylli Bufi, has thought to realise the process of restructuring Albpetrol by dividing it into three subdivisions.

This project, which paves the way for Albpetrol's privatisation, has been approved by the Supervising Council of this company and has also been accepted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Bufi told a recent news conference that "Albetrol's restructuring has been discussed with similar companies in Greece and Italy and its model is similar with the Italian AGIP."

Currently, in Albpetrol, the oil producing sector produces at loss while that of selling is profitable. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Serb forces withdrawn from several roadblocks in Kosova

Reports from Gllogoc say that the Serb forces have been pulled out from Terstenik, Komoran, Cukat e Zabel while they continue to be present in Korrotice and the Sopi neighbourhood in Llapushnik.

Over 100 busloads of policemen are also reported to have left Podujeve for Serbia. According to a LDK activist, the Serb police in Lug of Baran have been pulled out from the checkpoints in Kosuriq and Gllogjan. The Serb forces have also left the five roadblocks in Lipjan and village Samadraxhe of Suhareke, while LDK sources in this commune report that Serb forces continue to be present in Reshtan, Bllace and Mohlan. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Procedures on Durres port privatisation to begin soon

Port director Leonidha Gjermeni said that this process will first be applied in the goods handling sector. Gjermeni also said that in this process some 300 administration staff jobs and 310 goods handling sector jobs will be cut. Over the first following year they will receive full salary and the second year they will be granted social benefit. So far 350 employees have willingly accepted this compensating package.

World Bank terms to turn the port into a more functional one have almost been met. This has paved the way for the release of 23 million dollars earmarked by WB and some other millions earmarked by different financial bodies. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Cigarette smugglers to be brought to justice

The spokesman of the Finance Ministry, Genc Kondi, explains that "in connection with this quantity of cigarettes the competent bodies of the Finance Ministry are investigating the case and gathering information to complete the file of penal denunciation which will be submitted to the Prosecutor's office bodies.

The Finance Ministry bodies are firm in fighting the contraband carried out by any one, without distinction." /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] EU to grant Albania 30.5 MECU

The 1998 program covers a budget of 30.5 MECU of which 0.7 MECU is dedicated to the TEMPUS programme for higher education. The main objective of the programme is to provide continued support to the core priorities of cooperation as identified in September 1997 by Albania and the European Commission.

The immediate objectives of the 1998 PHARE program of 29.8 MECU are therefore aimed at:

-a comprehensive administrative and institutional support (10 MECU) including support for police, judiciary, customs and aid management;

-the development of major and essential infrastructures in transport (8 MECU) and water (2.5 MECU), including the preparation of emergency interventions in the Tirana water supply system;

-the stimulation of local initiatives including job creation by way of supporting essential local infrastructures in Tirana (3 MECU);

-assistance to the country's main economic sector, agriculture (6.3 MECU).

The PHARE Programme Management Units established in the Albanian ministries and institutions concerned are proceeding with the necessary project documentation to start as early as possible with the concrete implementation of the projects included in the 1998 PHARE program.

Minister Meksi and Ambassador Germano will shortly sign the Memoranda for the financing of the 1998 Cross-border cooperation programs between Albania and Greece and Italy respectively. The budgets allocated for 1998 by the European Commission to these Crossborder cooperations amount to 6 MECU each.

Finally, it is announced that the European Commission representatives and the Ministry of Economic Cooperation are in the process of finalising the programming of their 1999 cooperation programs.

The budgets for 1999 include 42.5 MECU for the national program plus 20 MECU for the crossborder programs, to be divided equally between the Italian and Greek border regions of Albania. The 1999 PHARE and corssborder objectives will have similar orientations as the 1998 programs and will conclude the ongoing 1996-1999 cycle of Albanian-European Commission cooperation. The European Commission and the Government of Albania will as from December initiate the preparation of a new strategy for the 2000-2003 cycle of cooperation. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Build-up of massive premilitary and armaments in Ferizaj military barracks

Many premilitary troops and several heavy weaponry coming from Shtimja have been concentrated in barracks of Ferizaj, Kosova Information Center (KIC) say, referring to sources from Democratic League of Kosova(DLK) in Ferizaj.

They also report that Serbian forces have not been pulled out of the positions in Buce, the site called "Bashkimi i lumenjve", Jezerce, Nerodime and Babush.

There is also no withdrawal of Serbian forces from Obiliq. According to DLK sources, they continue to be present at the site called "Kershat e Grabocit", where a fresh concentration has been set up, and they have constantly shot in the direction of Hajredinaj neighbourhood, Graboc i Eperm.

The same situation also prevails in the villages of Shipitulle, Siboc and Lajthishte the mentioned sources say. /P.Ta/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Deka covers 70% of market

As a result of the increase in consumer's demand and quality, the factory has constantly been extending its activity.

"Our company's strategy consists of tow main objectives: to supply the market with high quality products with constant cost and to produce for export," Agim Shehu, company's executive economic director told ATA.

The company in cooperation with an Italian company will soon build a factory to produce margarine and soap. The investment reaches 4.8 million dollars.

The company has at present employed 20 foreign specialists, who provide the technical assistance, and 150 workers.

Deka's activity covers 10 different cities of Albania, and by the end of 1999 it aims to export. /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Project to protect birch forest in Shishtavec

Lacking investment to rehabilitate the birch forest in the area of Shishtavec, Kukes district, the forest service department is cooperating with the schools of this zone to also engage the pupils in this process.

The head of the district's forest service, Zenel Tershana, told ATA that during the years 1992-1995 the natural forest of Shishtavec was vastly damaged. He said that out of 180 hectares 120 are damaged and now the birch tree is included in red book, publication of Albania's medical association, as a plant seriously endangered.

The specialists of the forest service department have drafted a project which envisages the afforestation of 50 hectares with saplings brought from abroad, financed by the World Bank.

The implementation of this project for three years is based on a fund of 27,6 million leks. It would also resolve the issue of the forest's protection, to avoid wood cuts and grazing of cattle for a 15 year period. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Italy provides aid for education

Ylli Kopaci, coordinator of this association, which also has its own affiliation in Librazhd, told ATA that the "Agimi" association in San Marino, donated 182 tables, 180 desks and several blackboards, as well as utensils for kindergartens.

Nardo Bastelini, representative of the Italian side, said they are ready to contribute with other aid projects for the town's town's hospital, kindergartens and schools, also in cooperation with the non-governmental associations operating in Librazhd. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Dervishi proclaimed "Pride of the city"

Dervishi, a participant in national and international activities, within 4-5 years is given different titles such as Albanian National Champion, FIDE Master and International Master.

In the international olympiad held in Elisa of Russia, Dervishi won 70.8% of the possible points and was proclamed Great International Master.

Actually Erald Dervishi is taking part in a chess activity, that has started in Eraklisi of Greece in Oct. 24. The four best chess players are expected to take part in a chess international tour in Las Vegas. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Textile production to increase over 15% by year end

Berat textile factory by the end of the fourth three-month period aims to increase the textile production over 15% in comparison with the beginning of the year.

"The increase of the production is a result of reorganising the work and using again the machineries, damaged in 1997," the factory's director, Dhori Maksuti said to ATA.

The increase of the production has been welcomed in the domestic market, in which Bulgarian, Turkish and Italian textiles, which according to the factory leading officials often enter in a smuggling way, have often competed unfairly.

However the high quality of this factory productions have often challenged the imported textiles lower prices and have covered 50% of the Albanian market. Factory's chief-engineer Agim Koxhaj said that they were considering some sale-contracts with Greece and Czech regarding different kinds of textiles.

Some 2 000 workers are employed in this factory. 30% of the factory is privatised while a new buyer is expected to privatise the rest of the factory. The cost of production for the first three-month period of this year is under the foreseen level while the salaries have been increased in comparison with 1997. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] New organisation of passengers railway transport aimed

Recently a group of experts from this department has presented a detailed study. According to this study, in order to regain passangers market, lost from the road transport competition, the improvment of travelling conditions, reduction of travellin time and respecting the time table are not enough.

The experts propose that the short distances should be covered with local trains at minimum intervals. The main national railway line Tirane- Elbasan alone, 112 km, according to this study needs the engagement of the main trains. An accurate time table on the passenger train movements toward Shkoder, Vlore, Ballsh and Pogradec, is going to be compiled.

According to the railway officials, this kind of transport will help to meet passengers growing demands and increase the railway incomes. /A.KE/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Traces of Ataturk apparent as soon as one sets foot on the powerful state he created - Meidani

At Istanbul's airport Meidani was received by representatives of Albanian community to Turkey, mainly by Albanians from Kosova.

Meidani responded to their interest in the situation in Albania and considered the development of the values of cooperation and tolerance a significant element for the Albanian cause in general.

At the airport Meidani also answered questions by reporters about the Kosova issue and the figure of Ataturk.

Speaking of the traces of Ataturk, he said that "they are seen as soon as you set foot on this powerful state, he created."

On Wednesday before noon Meidani visited the renowned University of Istanbul, one of the most important universities of the Turkish state.

On Wednesday evening Meidani also arrived in Ankara where he was received by his Turkish counterpart Sulejman Demirel. Meidani was among dozens of heads of states and representatives of the invited countries at the dinner extended by the senior host, Demirel.

The Albanian president had the honour to address the dinner on behalf of all delegations. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] New lines for olive processing

The lines cost $ 150 000 and are to work for 7 years with a capacity of 4 quintals per hour.

The financing of the agricultural processing industry is supported by the World Bank and by the oil processing association in collaboration with the food directory in the Agricultural Ministry. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] The exchange rate

CURRENCY RATE

USD 141.70

DM 86.50

LIT (1000) 87.00

GRD (1000) 50.00 /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Firms that hide goods from customs duties uncovered

Hence, the vehicle of Marcel subject, loaded with used electric house appliances, resulted to have 30 electric heaters more than it had declared at the customs house.

For this it was fined, conformed to Article 62,4 of the Customs House Code, with 209,612 lek.

Another vehicle owned by Bashkim Mesi subject had more commodities than it had stated at the customs house and for this abuse it was fined with 600 000 lek. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Gjallica: 135,8 milliard leks coming from investors

The analyses made to the currencies of the fund result in the fact that only a small part of these funds are send to the bank. The renting and commercial activity of the bank is totally made in cash. The majority part of the transactions are made by a set group of people. Many funds are transferred to third companies, that mainly conducted their activities abroad. Gjallica has used a great amount of assets to justify the overpaying of these foreign enterprises. Is thought that these third companies have helped in the process of Gjallica fund cleansing. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Bulgarian Bank in Tirane

This affiliation is envasiged to carry out the payments to Bank's clients in different currencies, open letters of credit and clearing, give bank warranties and conduct letter credit operations.

Many Albanian traders deal with Bulgaria and opening this Bank affiliation will help the progress of their trading activities.

The bank will accept deposits in local and foreign currency and carry out the transaction of currencies, bills of treasure, other kinds of vouchers and will offer information and consultation on the investments in Albania.

The bank envisages concentrating on the short-term credits, which will primarily cover the export and import of the goods.

First Bulgarian Investment Bank was found on August 10, 1993 in Sofia. Bank's shareholders having the right to vote are: Bank of Europe for Reconstruction and Development, European Corporate of Privatisation and Investment, First Financial Brokers' Institution and private investors. The capital of the bank reaches 10 billion Leva.

First Bulgarian Investment Bank is a new private bank, which is created from the privatisation of the existing banks in Bulgaria. It has not inherited bad things from the past. This advantage has helped this bank to play a substantial role in financing the international trade. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Tough measures to secure international conference on Albania

Sources from the Ministry of Public Order told ATA on Thursday that the Guard of the Republic and the order forces are on alert to enable the protection and security of foreign delegations.

Meanwhile, the heads of the General Police Department confess that tight security measures have been taken for the personalities who will take part in the International Conference on Albania, also in cooperation with the order forces of police in districts of Durres, Elbasan and Fushe- Kruje.

The airport of Rinas, the place, where the envoys of the participating countries in this conference will land, has been put since days under the severe control of the criminal police, who will coordinate their tasks during the coming days with the Guard of the Republic and the order forces.

There will be escorting groups for each delegation, while the plan of the senior police officials for the security of VIP-s, seems to engage some 5000 order forces, the same sources said.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the MAPE forces will be also engaged in the security of foreign personalities. MAPE forces are in Albania since a year to assist the Albanian police. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

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