Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-07

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

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CONTENTS

[01] New housing fund delivered in Tirana town-hall

[02] Military tactical drill "Deja '98"

[03] Italian consulate in Vlore to start by beginning of next year, Monti

[04] Italian Govt. allocates 1 billion liras for Vlore infrastructure

[05] Number of displaced Kosovars has decreased

[06] Increase in food imports and textile, shoes exports.

[07] Captain of "Spileo" ship arrested.

[08] Constitution is needed to Albania because Albania needs rule of law, Gjinushi

[09] Some 2 000 Albanians killed by Serb Forces, CHR

[10] "Relief" association gives aid for Pogradeci hospital

[11] "Don Jovanni" opened "Mozart video-festival" on Friday evening

[12] Displaced Kosovars ask for creation of possibilities to return in their homes

[13] Albanian lek continues to hold the same positions

[14] Trade exchanges of Albania with Council of Europe countries increase

[15] New archaeological museum of Durres waiting for the 'epilogue'

[16] World Bank leaders confirm support for Albania

[17] New version for status of Kosove brings nothing new - Qosja

[18] Italy to provide 7 billion lira for Tirane and Durres illumination

[19] AFADA separated from IFDC

[20] Painter Ibrahim Kodra expected to come to Albania again

[21] Sugar production plant in Maliq put to auction

[22] Tirane Municipality suggests government to reduce petroleum price

[23] U.S. cooking oil to reach Durres port soon

[24] French citizen Kader: I am Islamic, man of Osama Bin Laden

[25] Albanian Premier starts his first tour of Europe on Monday

[26] Republicans oppose government decision on referendum

[27] Korce Prefecture controls market foods

[01] New housing fund delivered in Tirana town-hall

"A fund of the state budget has been defined for 3 categories of homeless people: Former political prisoners, the blind people and the citizens who have signed act-agreement with the state," said the speokesman of the town-hall, without giving details on the amount, accorded for this purpose.

The town hall of Tirana notices that the amount of fund to be profited by the citizens free of charge should be larger. According to the spokesman, "the draft-decision has defined the amount of 1.4 million leks for an apartment 2+1 (two rooms and a kitchen,) meanwhile that such an apartment costs in the free market at least 3 million lek."

Also, the town-hall complains that the deadline of 3 months for using the funds is too short, thus it asked a deadline of 6 months.

According to the Tirana Mayor, Albert Brojka, the most emergent categories of the homeless in Tirana are 150 families with act-agreement by state and 1500 families who live in the houses of the owners, expropriated during the communist dictatorship. Although the state has delivered a fund two years ago, these families continue to live in the owners' houses. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Military tactical drill "Deja '98"

This drill has been programed since the beginning of the year and is part of the big military exercises carried out by the Albanian army, the spokesman of the Defence Ministry reported. It has been conceived as a complex-tactical drill of the forces of infantry, combined with shootings of all sorts of weapons. This is considered as one of the most difficult military drills, carried out by the troops of the Albanian army.

The military men, participant in this drill, were trained in the training center of Vau i Dejes.

The military drill was attended by the Albanian Minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga, the Chief of the Army General Staff, brigade general Aleks Andoni, representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), local government and others. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Italian consulate in Vlore to start by beginning of next year, Monti

Dredha stressed during the meeting that the opening of the Italian consulate in Vlore would facilitate the procedures of movements for the Vlora citizens towards Italy and at the same time would favour the relations between the town of Vlore and the Italian cities.

The request was welcomed by Monti, and they both came to the conclusion that the working conditions should be created for opening of this consulate through defining a proper building. Thus, it was decided that one of the former villas, situated in "Uji i Ftohte," will be used for this purpose.

Also, the Italian diplomat urged the Vlore Mayor to compile a list with the names of the pedagogues of the Vlore University in order to provide them with Italian visa. /a.ke/mt/

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[04] Italian Govt. allocates 1 billion liras for Vlore infrastructure

Perruzi, in a meeting organized with the representatives of the town- hall administration, asked three projects to be financed by the emergency funds of the Italian government worth 1 billion liras. These projects, approved during the meeting, have to do with segments of the roads in the town of Vlore, which have been damaged over the past years.

The delivery of funds for the implementation of these projects will be carried out in January of 1999, confirmed Perruzi in this meeting. /lh/mt/

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[05] Number of displaced Kosovars has decreased

The chief of the regional refugee registration office, Uk Todaj, told ATA that "there are some 4 000 Kosova refugees in the districts of Kukes, Tropje and Has; 3 000 of them are in Tropoje."

The displaced Kosovars in these districts are still sheltered in families and only a small part of them was accommodated in public grounds.

Todaj said that the problem of providing the refugees with food and non food items is still concerning, because this northeastern region is isolated during the winter because of the snow.

The Kosova families, who left their homes due to the Serb terror, are actually accommodated in the three districts of this prefecture. It is also reported that more than 20 000 persons are thought to have passed in Tropoje since the beginning of the flux, a big part of whom have moved to the lower areas. /a.ke/lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Increase in food imports and textile, shoes exports.

The goods imported during September 1998, continue to occupy a considerable place. The imports of food, drinks and cigarettes occupied about 30.9 of the total commercial imports during this month.

The import of the group "Machineries, equipments and spare parts" occupied about 14.9 of the total imports during this month, while within this group, the importation of the subgroup "machineries and mechanic, electric equipments" occupied about 71.2% of the total imports.

The import's group "Buildings and metals" occupied about 9.6% of the total import during September.

In the Albania exports despite the material produced with "order material", as textiles and shoes, which during September occupied respectively 36.9 and 20.3% of the total export, of importance was also the export of the goods of the group " Food, drinks and cigarettes", which during this month occupied approximately 23.6% of this total. Within this group, the main place, about 62.9% of the total export, is occupied by the export of the subgroup "Vegetal products".

About 4.2% of the total export was occupied by the export of the group "Building material". /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Captain of "Spileo" ship arrested.

Spiro Kromidha, the captain of "Spileo" ship is arrested with unlimited prison, told ATA the chief of the Saranda district Police Commissariat, Edmond Kule. According to him Kromidha is jointowner of the above mentioned ship and responsible for the 100 smuggling cigarette postal packages seized by the police forces in the grounds of this ship.

"Spileo" ship with Albanian crew and and a Greece jointowner, entered the Saranda waters on 2 November to unload in the harbor a cement charge, but it was blocked by the police forces after begin signaled that it was loaded with smuggle cigarettes. The Sarande customs house sequestrated 100 cigarette postal packages pretended to be used for the crew need, but which resulted to be smuggle after controlling the documentation. "We made a denunciation for "Spileo" ship captain", told ATA the customs house director, Bujar Allushi. /lh/A.A/

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[08] Constitution is needed to Albania because Albania needs rule of law, Gjinushi

Gjinushi stressed further on that "there cannot be a normal development and a democratic stability without the Constitution."

Having the complete support and the maximal approval of all important international institutions, "the new Constitution will be undoubtedly voted by you," stressed Gjinushi in the meeting with inhabitants of Mirdite.

The Constitution is a guarantee not to cumulate the power into a single hand, but everyone should exert his own responsibilities before the people and himself, be him either the President or the Prime Minister, also the Parliament itself, stressed Gjinushi further on.

In all the meeting held yesterday in the towns of Lac, Lezhe and Mirdite, attending was also the deputy Parliament Speaker, Namik Dokle and the deputy Arben Imami, co-chairman of the Parliamentary Constitution Drafting Commission, who responded to all the questions made by the participants in the meetings. /s.s/mt/

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[09] Some 2 000 Albanians killed by Serb Forces, CHR

The Council for Human Rights (CHR) in Kosova, announced on Friday that from 14 January of the current year till the end of October, the Serb forces have killed, massacred and executed at least 1770 Albanians in Kosova. Out of this number 193 are children, 207 women and about 86 Albanians have died as a result of war consequences, food and medical lack as well as cold. There is no data given for more than 1 400 other Albanians proclaimed disappeared.

According to the sources of the Council of the Human Rights, the Serb forces have killed 172 Albanians, have executed 55 others, 12 Albanians have died as a result of mines exposures while 23 others are burned. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] "Relief" association gives aid for Pogradeci hospital

According to the chairman of the district association branch, Hasan Abdullah, the aid contingent is composed of 32 articles that are mainly surgical materials.

Among them the most important was the dialyses apparatus, said the Public Health Vice Director, Pirro Kolvani. Its coming makes possible the entrance of a new service in hospital and asks for a new respective working team, he added.

This is the third aid that Pogradeci hospital is given since 1997 by "Relief" association, with branches in Tirane and Shkoder. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] "Don Jovanni" opened "Mozart video-festival" on Friday evening

Under the conductement of Craig Smith and a scenario of the Austrian master Mozart, who with his creativity has amazed several world scenes, his masterpiece was present also in the Albanian scene for nearly three hours.

Don Jovanni adventures, his servant Leporellosi and his love with the country girl Zerelina under the magnificent rhythms of the Austrian master transmitted to the Albanian artlovers a major part of the great creativity of Mozart. His creativity comprises about 700 works. He died when the success of his last opera "Magic flout" was increasing day after day.

In this activity took place the Minister of Culture and other senior personalities of the Albanian and Italian culture and art.

Mozart days are to follow with his two masterpieces "Cosi fan' tutte" and "Il flauto magico", which are to be shown respectively on Saturday and in Sunday.

This activity was held due to the collaboration between the Commercial Center of Cultural Development in the Albanian Cultural Ministry. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Displaced Kosovars ask for creation of possibilities to return in their homes

The meeting was held with the enquiry of the displaced Kosovars, who asked for the creation of the possibilities to turn back in their houses. They asked the International bodies to give more help in this direction because the winter in this region is revere.

The representatives of International bodies voiced that such a thing can not be settled immediately, because it is not in their competencies, but they promised to transmit their trouble to senior International bodies. Another meeting was appointed to be held for discussing in details the problems of people coming from Kosova and settled in Tropoje. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian lek continues to hold the same positions

Currency	Rate
$US		141.10
DM		 84.70
LIT(1000)	 85.30
GRD(100)	 49.56
SFR		101.80

/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Trade exchanges of Albania with Council of Europe countries increase

According to INSTAT reports, compared with the previous months, September registerd an increase of exports with Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Macedonia and Slovenia.

In September 1998, as against August, the imports from CE countries rose about 6.7 per cent, while with EFTA countries they fell nearly to 51.4 per cent, with former USSR countries about 74.7 per cent and with countries of Eastern Europe they fell to 38.7 per cent.

During September 1998, as compared with August, the exports with the CE countries rose by 2 per cent, with EFTA 4.2 per cent.

The greatest specific weight in Albanian trade exchanges continues to be held by CE countries. Hence, over September, the trade exports and imports from CE countries covered respectively 92.3 % and 85.6 % of the total of the trade exports and imports. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] New archaeological museum of Durres waiting for the 'epilogue'

"The project for the Museum was made since 1992 by the Institute of Projects," said to ATA Guri Pani, specialist of the ancient mediaeval monuments in the Institute of the Monuments of Culture.

The fund for the construction of the Museum, which amounts to $500 thousand is furnished by the German Government in the context of the aid that this government gave to Albania in 1994, the year when the construction of the museum building began.

The new museum covering an area of 400 square meters, has four floors and is located downtown of Durres, nearly 200 meter from the old Museum.

The Institute of Monuments, in cooperation with the atelier of Durres, has planned to place two other objects in the entrance of the museum along with other archaeological objects, a Roman kiln and an altar, which have been uncovered some years ago, but were placed in the old Museum for protection.

The new Archaeological Museum of Durres will display objects from a broad territory, up to the city of Lezhe, reflecting the historic period of the Illyrian Kingdom.

There are several archaeological museums in Albania such as the Museum of the ancient city of Apolonia, that of Butrint, the Archeological Museum in Tirane near the Archaeological Institute and the new museum in the city of Durres. Many of the archaeological objects, which cover different historic period, are exhibited in the National Museum of History in Tirane. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] World Bank leaders confirm support for Albania

A report of the President's press and information office says that the WB senior officials hail President Meidani and the Albanian Government for the organization of the International Conference held in Tirane last week, which they too attended. Considering the conference as rather efficient, they voice their satisfaction for the broad international support for Albania.

In their letter to President Meidani, Mr Lin and Mr Pasakantando appreciate the program of the Albanian Government for the stability and recovery of Albania. They highlighted the program of efficient reforms of the Albanian program and confirmed once more the support of the World Bank through various programs of assistance in support of the efforts of Albania to overcome the challenges of the society. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] New version for status of Kosove brings nothing new - Qosja

Last Wednesday, the diplomat of the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia, Philip Riker, said that the new version of the draft agreement for the status of Kosove has "had some changes." But, according to Qosja, also in the new version that Ambassador Hill has presented these days to the Albanian party, Kosova remains in the context of Serbia and Yugoslavia, something which makes the said draft unacceptable for the Albanian party. Qosja pointed out that the agreement Holbrooke-Milosevic does not create either the necessary lasting premises for peace, or for the solution of the humanitarian drama, because, as he said, this agreement does not create the conditions for the right solution to the question of Kosove.

Kosova has been for more than 80 years a colony of Serbia, therefore the present Albanian generation has the historic task not to allow its successors have the same position, said Academician Rexhep Qosja. /pa.ta/xh/

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[18] Italy to provide 7 billion lira for Tirane and Durres illumination

According to the agreement, work will start with the construction of a new substation of 220/110 kilovolt, which is linked with the high tension line Koman-Tirane of 220 kilovolt, thus increasing the capacity of the electric supply of Tirane to the amount of 30 per cent.

The new substation will also improve the electric supply of Durres through the substation of Shkopet. According to the plan, the substation will be put to operation within December 1998. The 7 billion liras will be used also for the construction of a substation in the centre of Tirane and a 110 kilo volt air line of about 2 km long which will link it with the substation of 220 kilo volt of Tirane.

The construction of the substation enables the use of 20 kilo volt tension in downtown, increasing the coefficient of the supply with electricity of the consumers. In addition, 130 electric booths will be constructed with the respective lines, thus improving the electric supply of the zones which have been so far with problems in this aspect, Laprake and Allias. The respective contract will be signed in Rome the coming Tuesday. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] AFADA separated from IFDC

It was decided in the 6-th Conference of AFADA, held in "Dajti Hotel".

"AFADA was created by IFDC. But from now on AFADA will be separated from IFDC assistant," said Shpetim Bimo, AFADA executive director.

Minister of Agriculture, Lufter Xhuveli, representatives from IFDC, FEFAD, USAID and businessmen took part in the Conference.

Cloude Freeman, chief of IFDC staff, said that AFADA has had a quick progress and it will be a partner of IFDC.

"I presented AFADA program as an exampel in the meeting held with the specialists in Washington and I am in the last stage of reaching an agreement on a new 5-year agro-business project of IFDC in Albania," Freeman said.

AFADA has 154 members in all the districts of Albania and over this year it has imported round 28 thousand ton fertilizers.

According to AFADA representatives, its aim is to back Albanian agriculture with fertilizers, but so far only import has been stimulated and not their production. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Painter Ibrahim Kodra expected to come to Albania again

Kodra, known in the world of art as the "primitive of the new civilization," set foot on Albania after scores of years in exile, in 1996, when he was warded the high Order "Honour of Nation."

In August last year, Kodra visited Albania again to bring an image of his country, named "Fantastic Albania."

Kodra fled Albania since when he was young. He started studies in Italy not knowing that he would remain for ever in that country. 1944 marked the inauguration of Kodra's first exhibition in Milan, while in 1947 the young painter became known in the world.

Kodra has been decorated with the Golden Medal of Art, Science and Literature by the French Academy. He is now present in the world modern art.

"Meditarranea 1" which will be held for 15 days, aims at affirming Albanian and Italian artists in the two countries.

The activity will be held under the auspices of the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and the Italian President, Oscar Luiggi Scalfaro, the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, the Institute of Italian Culture in Tirane in cooperation with Foundation Velija and the Cultural Association "Mediterranea."

Ideator and organizer of the activity, the first of its kind, is the Italian painter, Gaetano Grillo, who a year ago, organized successfully the project "Radio Tirana Fax." /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Sugar production plant in Maliq put to auction

Some Italian businessmen have offered projects of investments worth $50-60 thousand each, to re-put to operation the factory for sugar.

The projects of Italian businessmen aim to encourage the tradition of sowing sugar beet, as raw material for the factory. But in the present ruined state of the factory, the sugar would be produced at a cost 40 per cent higher than the price of sugar in the market, therefore these projects were not approved, specialists of the Ministry of Agriculture say.

In the years when the plant worked at full capacity, about 8 thousand hectares of land were sown to sugar beet in the zone of Korce and 32 thousand tons of sugar were produced every year.

At present, Albania imports annually about 52 thousand tons of sugar. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Tirane Municipality suggests government to reduce petroleum price

This suggestion aims to improve heating conditions of the population over the period November 1998 and March 1999, considering also the energetic system critical situation.

Traditionally 90 % of the Albanians have had wood heating, round 10% coal, petroleum heating and very few electric one, the report presented for approval at Tieane municipal council says.

After 1990, the energetic balance was totally disequalibrated, because the electric energy used for lightening and partially for cooking, began to be widely used for heating and cooking. Price liberalisation of the electricity brought about the increase of petroleum and liquid gas price. Thus the consumption of the petroleum in 1997 was reduced four times in comparison with 1996. The consumption of liquid gas, used for heating, was also reduced. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] U.S. cooking oil to reach Durres port soon

"This is the first amount of the total of 6300 tons of unprocessed cooking oil, which according to the agreement, is a U.S. assistance for Albania and will be sold to auction, Pavli Kisi, head of department in the Ministry of Agriculture told ATA.

The first contingent of the aid is expected to arrive in Durres port on November 25 and the second part at the beginning of December. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] French citizen Kader: I am Islamic, man of Osama Bin Laden

The French national converted into Islamic faith, Abdel-Kader, after describing the killing of the Albanian student as an incident, explained to the judge-panel of the Tirana District Court, that "we had undertaken to form a 300-strong Albanian force to fight the Serbs in Kosova and for this reason I have also got the blessing of chief, Osama Bin Laden."

The Albanian press recently published several articles which claim that the world's chief-terrorist Osama Bin Laden has been in Albania since the beginning of 1994.

Although the Albanian mediae have not yet clarified the fact that Bin Laden has come or not to the Albanian capital, a thing is sure, that Albania for years in succession has been a "promised land" for the suspected people who have used the religious gown for dark purposes. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Albanian Premier starts his first tour of Europe on Monday

Albania's Prime Minister Pandeli Majko starts his first official tour of Europe, as head of the Albanian government, a tour which includes visits to France, Italy and Greece.

The fist diplomatic mission abroad for the Albanian Prime Minister will begin with Lion, where on Monday before noon Majko will take part in an International Summit, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Minister of Information Musa Ulqini told ATA on Saturday.

Majko is scheduled to meet and hold formal talks with his French counterpart, Lionel Jospin, on the sidelines of the conference.

On Monday afternoon he will visit Italy, where, accompanied by Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga, Minister of Public Order Petro Koci, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation Ermelinda Meksi, Minister of Public and Privatisation Economy Ylli Bufi, as well as the Minister of Labour, Social and Emigration Affairs Kadri Rrapi, is expected to host a series of high level talks.

The last stop will be Athens, where from November 11-12 meetings are expected to be held with representatives of the Greek political class and civil society. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Republicans oppose government decision on referendum

"This decision runs counter to the constitutional provision because it entitles the bodies declaring the voters' lists with the right to exclude the citizens who are abroad. This would dely the right to vote to every Albanian abroad if he would be in Albania on the voting day," Aleksander Garuli, RP organisational Secretary told a news conference today.

The Republicans also accused the two major political forces (DP, SP) for cooperating with each other, excluding the RP members from the commissions.

Based on the number of the republican representatives in the councils of town-halls and communes, the RP should have its representatives in the commissions of the 28 town-halls and 132 communes, said Garuli, adding that unless this is corrected in the election commissions in three days, the RP will withdraw its members from all level commissions, beginning with the Central Electoral Commission. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Korce Prefecture controls market foods

According to the local inspector of agriculture and food, Safet Habibi, during the control there were ascertained shortcomings in documentation, specially regarding the hygienic conditions of the production in Korca-Beer factory, "Zervos-Co", the Big Refrigerator, etc.

In the Big Refrigerator, 30 quintals expired pig fat and 2 quintals expired cheese were confiscated and buried. In four butchers', the butchers were not supplied with health certificates and the meat lacked the medical report.

For this reason the prefecture on Saturday met with control bodies representatives and asked them to strictly implement the law. /pas/lola/

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