Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-12

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Explosion at Fehmi Abdiu's house

[02] Gunmen fire into air prior to parliamentarians's meeting with Kukes inhabitants

[03] Outright attack for physical elimination of Abdiu family -Amount of explosive device - 5 kg of TNT

[04] Government to keep complying with commitments in context of ESAF- 2

[05] Albanian Prime Minister Majko leaves on a two-day visit to Greece

[06] Affiliate of Greek National Bank established in Durres

[07] Majko visits Abdiu family after attack on his apartment

[08] False diplomas for policemen reappear

[09] Seven wagons come off rails

[10] 35th anniversary of the institute of deaf pupils marked

[11] Albanian Education Minister continues talks with teachers' trade union leaders

[12] NPA declares auction to sell share packages of 9 trade enterprises

[13] Fruitful Albanian-Danish cooperation in the field of education

[14] EU helps with legislation in agriculture

[15] Homage paid to graves of French soldiers in Korce

[16] Adoption of Constitution will lay sound foundations for consolidation of rule of law in Albania - Deputy PM Ilir meta meets with EDU delegation -

[17] $US 1 as against 142.4 leks

[18] Some 788 smuggling postal packages in two Tirane warehouses

[19] Problems of Albanian culture to be supported by Greek government

[20] Albania PM arrives in Greece

[21] Oil-Soap enterprise "Deta" to resume work

[22] Some $639.1 million active money, $514.3 million passive money: Bank of Albania

[23] Majko asks institutionalization of Albanian-Greek summits

[24] Albanian Helsinki Committee calls for quiet and normal campaign

[25] Albania to be backed by us and international community, Leblanc

[26] UNDP presents alternative "Weapons for Development" in Gramsh

[27] Justice should operate aganist terrorist elements, Bushati

[28] Possibility for legalization of Albanian emigrants in Italy

[01] Explosion at Fehmi Abdiu's house

Preliminary sources of the Police Department of the Prefecture of Tirane told ATA that at about 7.45 p.m.of Wednesday, an explosion shocked the people living in the block of flats No.50 on Myslym Shyri Road, causing considerable damage in the house of Abdiu family.

The investigation group went to the spot and confirmed that an amount of explosive had been put on the doorstep of the flat where Abdiu lives.

The investigation into the event is continuing, with proofs and facts gathering for the identification of the authors. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Gunmen fire into air prior to parliamentarians's meeting with Kukes inhabitants

The Parliamentary Commission for the organisation of the Referendum for the Constitution held a meeting in Kukes on Wednesday.

Before the arrival of the Parliamentary Referendum Commission, three armed men fired into the air in front of the Prefecture and left immediately. The aim was to provoke an incident, but it was evaded thanks to the Kukes inhabitants' self-restraint and the police forces' correct stand.

Immediately after this, the police forces came to the spot and took all the measures to ensure the normality of the meeting, planned to be held in the Palace of Culture.

The meeting for the Constitution began in the Palace of Culture, when the Parliamentary Commission for the organisation of the Referendum, headed by the speaker of Albanian Parliament, Skender Gjinushi, arrived at Kukes. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Outright attack for physical elimination of Abdiu family -Amount of explosive device - 5 kg of TNT

The 5 kg of TNT, placed by criminals, is an amount of great dangerous explosive power, and only the fate has saved the lives of the people, police specialists say.

According to the investigating team, affected by damage are not only the apartment of the Abdiu family, but also the doors of the neighbours and the concrete structure of the outdoor stairway and stairs of the second floor of the block of flats No.50, "Myslym Shyri" Street, where this family lives. The interior doors have also been damaged and windows smashed.

The investigating team, which examined the area explains that the investigations to throw light on the event and track down the culprits continue intensively.

The blast took place at around 19.45 on Wednesday. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Government to keep complying with commitments in context of ESAF- 2

"We are determined to start privatisation of banks during 1999 and end the process of transparency, sale of assets and compensation of the savings lost in pyramid schemes," said Majko at the meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the end of the negotiations to draft budget of 1999.

The IMF representatives positively assessed the macro-economic situation in Albania as well as the draft-budget for the coming year.

The IMF will soon sign a document on the financial steps for the first six months of 1999, the spokesman says. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Albanian Prime Minister Majko leaves on a two-day visit to Greece

The Ministry of Information reports that members of the delegation also are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paskal Milo, Minister of Finances, Anastas Angjeli, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Edi Rama and the Minister of Information, Musa Ulqini.

Over the visit to Greece, PM Majko will meet with senior officials of Greece, with the President, the Parliament Speaker and the Prime Minister of Greece. Talks will be held between the delegation of the two governments and a meeting will be held with the Mayor of Athens as well.

PM Majko will have separate meetings with leaders of all parties in Greece and a meeting with representatives of the associations of Albanians in Greece.

Two agreements will also be signed between the two governments. Albanian PM Majko and Greek PM Simitis will sign a joint agreement for the construction of a new National Theater in Tirane.

The ministers of Finances of both countries will sign agreement of credit on housing offered by the Greek Government. /s.sh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Affiliate of Greek National Bank established in Durres

According to its manager, Jordo Xanopoullos, this is the first affiliate of this bank established in other districts, in addition to that in Tirane. He said that three other affiliates of this bank will be opened in Shkoder, Gjirokaster and Korce.

On the first day, 60 clients appeared in the affiliate, which offers money transfer, money depositing and creates better possibilities for businessmen for the export and import of commodities.

Besides this affiliate, two other affiliates of other foreign banks, like Tirana-Bank and Fefad-Bank are functioning as well.

The opening of foreign banks affiliates in Durres is also linked with the perspective of that city as the main gate of Corridor 8, with the successful development of business in that city, with 70 joint ventures, 46 sea transport agencies and a big market with all local products. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Majko visits Abdiu family after attack on his apartment

The ministry of Information reports that powerfully denouncing this criminal act against the number 1 of the Constitutional Court, Majko asked from the competent bodies maximum engagement in tracking down the terrorists and bringing them to justice.

These acts aim at discouraging the engagement of the Albanian state institutions in implementing the law and strengthening the rule of law.

These acts are an abortive effort to give destabilising images on Albania, at a time when the Government is engaged in the maximum to maintain law and order on which its has found full understanding in the Albanian and international public opinion. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] False diplomas for policemen reappear

The control of documents of the police effective was made in the tree districts of the Prefecture of Kukes. It has been completed in Kukes and while in the district of Tropoje this control is still going on.

According to Brahimi, over 20 policemen with false diplomas will be dismissed.

Last year, 15 other policemen were released under the same motive. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Seven wagons come off rails

Raimond Todhe, chief engineer of the railway general department says that the defect was result of this line's consumption and rotten beams.

The railway department immediately sent a crane and a team of troubleshooters to the station of Kavaje who worked overnight and today, at around 11.00, the railway traffic was back to normal.

/s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] 35th anniversary of the institute of deaf pupils marked

Established on November 6, 1963, the institute started its work with 22 deaf pupils. Since then, about 830 pupils have learned in the institute. At present the institute has 202 pupils and 23 teachers.

Ms. Lidra Meidani, present in the ceremony, congratulated the collective of the institute for a good work in the process for the education of the deaf children.

Those present, leaders of the local government, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and parents of the children, saw works made by the pupils themselves, such as paintings, embroidery, etc.

The building of the institute and other premises there have been restructured through a special assistance by the Dutch association Effatha, led by Ineke Hane and the Italian-Albanian foundation Skanderbeg, with president Patricio Ciu. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian Education Minister continues talks with teachers' trade union leaders

Also today, like in yesterday's meeting with leaders of the Trade Union Federation of Education, Ruka listened to the suggestions presented by the trade union members and voiced the commitment of his cabinet to elevate the living standard of the teachers, as the lowest-paid category among budgetary employees. He said that recently, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision on a 10% increase of the pensions and salaries in budgetary institutions, respectively in January and April of the coming year.

The trade union leaders asked that the preschool education be also included in the 5-day week system. Today's talks follow the efforts between the Ministry of Education as the employer and 3 trade unions of the sector of education, representating the employees, for the realisation of the new collective contracts.

The spokesman of the ministry, Edlira Myrta, said that finally the Ministry of Education will sign the collective contracts with that trade union which has the greatest number of members, as is determined by the law. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] NPA declares auction to sell share packages of 9 trade enterprises

The National Privatisation Agency (NPA) declares auction to sell shares packages of nine trade enterprises. Based on the Council of Ministers' Decision No.446, dt.09.07.1998 and No.684, dt.28.10.1998 the share packages will be sold in leks and the Anonymous Companies data are as follow.

- "Maliq Sugar Factory" enterprise with its premises in Korce district and shares package value of 310.267.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 51%, enterprise's land surface 121.596 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is production of sugar and alcohol. The auction will be held on Monday, 7.12.1998, at 10.00.

- "Asbestos Production" enterprise with its premises in Vlora district and value of shares package 44.725.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 75%, enterprise's land area 16.150 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is asbestos production. The auction will be held on Monday, 7.12.1998, at 13.00.

- "Tobacco cigarette" enterprise with its premises in Shkoder and value of share packages 142.719.000 leks, share packages offered to be sold 51%, enterprise's land area 54.935 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is tobacco gathering and processing and cigarette production. The auction will be held on Tuesday, 8.12.1998, at 10.00.

- "Mechanical workshop" enterprise with its premises in Kukes and shares package value 4.565.000 leks, shares packages offered to be sold 20%, enterprise's land area 10.400 sq metres, subject of its activity is production of drain covers. The auction will be held on Tuesday, 8.12.1998, at 13.00.

- "Kurbin Super-phosphate" enterprise with premises in Lac district and shares package value 232.050.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 51%, and land area 94.900 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is production and export of super-phosphate and acid. The auction will be held on Wednesday, 9.12.1998, at 10.00.

- "Construction Material Production" enterprise with premises in Elbasan district and shares package value 82.620.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 51%, enterprise's land ares 127.808 sq metres, subject of its activity traverse production and export. The auction will be held on Wednesday, 9.12.1998, at 13.00.

- "AJKA Milk" enterprise with its premises in Tirana and shares package value 225.000.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 75%, enterprise's land area 9.123 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is milk processing. The auction will be held on Thursday, 10.12.1998, at 10.00.

- "Pesticide Production" enterprise with the premises in Durres and shares package value 38.625.000 leks, shares package offered to be sold 51%, enterprises's land area 17.635 sq metres, subject of enterprise's activity is pesticide processing. The auction will be held on Thursday, 10.12.1998, at 13.00.

- "Malto Beer" enterprise with its premises in Durres and shares package value 832.913.000 leks while the shares package offered to be sold is 75%, its land area is 16.887 sq metres, subject of its activity is beer production. The auction will be held on Friday, 11.12.1998, at 11.00.

Auctions will take place in the National Privatisation Agency with the address:

Boulevard "Deshmoret e Kombit", building of former Central Committee of Labour Party second floor, Trade Enterprises Privatisation Department, Tirana.

For the "Beer Malto" and "AJKA Milk" enterprises, both in Tirana, the main production activity will be preserved, a condition to be included in the share transference act from the state to the buyer.

Physical or juridical persons interested to participate in the auction on the enterprises' share packages offered for sale, should present the following documents at set place, date and hour:

1- Written request on the participation in the privatisation of enterprise's share package; 2- Physical or juridical persons' identifying, legal document;

3- Bank certificate, for the period till the end of the auction, on freezing the preliminary payment in leks, or bank guaranty of 30% of the shares package value offered for sale.

Physical or juridical persons represented in the auction by other persons, besides the mentioned documents, should also present the proxy. Full shares package value coming out of the auction should be paid within 30 days from the day of the auction. Otherwise, 30% of the value paid for the participation in the auction is not reimbursed and it is deposited as an income in the budget. Any request not meeting the above criteria is considered invalid.

For further details address to National Privatisation Agency, Trade Enterprises Privatisation Department, Tirana. /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Fruitful Albanian-Danish cooperation in the field of education

After making a panorama of the present needs of the Albanian education, Minister Ruka spoke about the work to realise the reform in education, focusing on the problems of professional education, extensive introduction of computers in secondary schools, the need of consolidating the cooperation between the universities of the two countries.

Ambassador Iversen voiced the readiness of his country to continue the bilateral cooperation in the field of education, especially in the training of the would be jurists and for the school for foreign languages, offering assistance with computers and other school instruments, along the work to strengthen the relations between the universities of Albania and Denmark. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] EU helps with legislation in agriculture

Representatives of the PHARE programme at the Ministry of Agriculture and the EU delegation, meeting at the EU office in Tirana, decided to approve the second phase of this project, Menka Marko, coordinator for the Agricultural Department, told ATA.

The first phase of this project ended by the end of October. The second phase is envisaged to begin after the procedures of the bid and will continue until 2001.

The EU delegation in Tirane has provided a preliminary fund of 50 000 ECU for the activity of the Office for Political Counseling at the Ministry of Agriculture.

One of the directions of the performance of this office has been to get the Albanian legislation closer to that of the EU regarding Veterinary Control, Protection of Plants and Food Control. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Homage paid to graves of French soldiers in Korce

The French Ambassador in Albania, Patrick Chrismant, representatives of the prefecture of Korce, the town hall and the army division, and former pupils of the French Lyceum in Korce along with citizens of that city, placed wreaths and paid homages to the graves of the French soldiers.

Known as "The Graves of the French" the cemetery carries the remains of 640 French soldiers killed in that region over 1916-1918. The people of Korce and authorities of the local government have taken a special attention to maintaining the graves of the French soldiers. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Adoption of Constitution will lay sound foundations for consolidation of rule of law in Albania - Deputy PM Ilir meta meets with EDU delegation -

The Information Ministry told ATA that at the beginning of the meeting, Meta made a panorama of the present situation in Albania. He underlined as priorities of the new Albanian Government, the full restoration of law and order and security, the fight against contraband and corruption, and the efforts for the depolarization of the Albanian policy.

Stressing the main directions of the economic development of the country, Meta pointed out the continuous control on macro-economic parameters and their improvement, modernization of the infrastructure to create a good climate for the attraction of foreign investments. Responding to Grossruck's concern about the boycott of the constitutional process by the opposition, Meta explained that the new government and parliament have constantly called on the opposition, especially the Democratic Party, to join this process, which is property of no political force but serves the Albanian people and consolidation of democracy.

Grossruck expressed hope that the new Albanian government will govern with new and democratic concepts, abandoning past practices.

Meta expressed the new government's evaluation for the support the EDU has given to Albania's democratisation and expressed readiness to cooperate in the future with EDU, for the country's further democratisation and stabilisation in the region. /s.s/xh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] $US 1 as against 142.4 leks

Currency Rate

$US 142.40

DM 84.90

LIT (1000) 85.50

GRD 50.00 /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Some 788 smuggling postal packages in two Tirane warehouses

The sector of Economic-Financial Anti-crime in collaboration with the police forces of the Commissariats number 1 and number 4 found and sequestered cigarette postal packages without having Finance Ministry tax stamps, the spokesman of Police Directory of Tirane Prefecture told ATA on Thursday.

All the sequestrated postal packages are of L&M, Marlboro, Lord, Davidof, and Winston blend and according to the specialists of the above mentioned office, they are smuggle cigarettes.

The spokesman added that the amount of the cigarettes belonged to a citizen named Gj.Shore, inhabitant in Tirane, who managed to escape the police forces.

Tirane Policy accompanied the citizens Dod Toskaj, aged 51, and Sotiraq Shore aged 58, both living in Tirane, in the commissariat for having put into the warehouses the amount of cigarettes /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Problems of Albanian culture to be supported by Greek government

Sources from the Ministry of Culture reported to ATA that the Minister of Culture Edi Rama will present during the meetings with the Greek counterpart even the problem of reconstruction of the National Theatre building, a problem which has caused the "freezing" of the artistic life of the new season in this institution.

The building of the National Theater has been turned recently into a source of conflict between the actors of this theater and the Ministry of Culture. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Albania PM arrives in Greece

In the airport of Athens, the Albanian Prime Minister was received by the chief of the Greek diplomacy, Pangallos. At 11:00, Majko met with the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis.

After the tete-a-tete meeting between the two premiers, which lasted 30 minutes, official talks were held between both delegations.

At 14:00, PM Majko and the chief of the Greek Government, Simitis, signed a joint statement for the construction of the Albanian National Theater.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finances, Angjeli and his Greek counterpart, Papantoniu, signed the agreement for a credit worth 5 billion drachmas to be accorded for the facilitation of the housing problem.

PM Majko will meet on Thursday afternoon with the mayor of Athens, Avramapulos and leaders of political parties, while on Friday he will meet the President of Greece, Stefanopulos and will hold a meeting in the Greek Parliament. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Oil-Soap enterprise "Deta" to resume work

Domi stressed that the U.S. assistance of 1500 tonne oil, which arrives in December, forced us to draft a detailed program for the further progress of our work.

After rejecting the rumors in the local and central press for the bankruptcy of the enterprise, Domi said that the processing of the U.S. oil creates new jobs for all the employees and creates possibilities to overcome not the very good financial situation.

Some 55% of the enterprise capital belongs to an Italian company and 45% to the Albanian state. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Some $639.1 million active money, $514.3 million passive money: Bank of Albania

The passive money were increased by $514.3 million dollars from $502.3 million in the end of August. The credits from foreign banks, the obligations against the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Community are increased while the short term 30 year obligations have remained unchangeable. The credits from the foreign banks are $59.6 million dollars, the obligations against IMF are $62.8 million, the short term obligations are $39 million and the 30 years obligations are $225 million.

The active money are increased by $124.8 million. /A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Majko asks institutionalization of Albanian-Greek summits

In the joint news conference held by both Premiers on Thursday afternoon, the head of the Albanian government said that "I proposed to the Greek counterpart to hold from no and on regular meetings between the two governments. The Albanian-Greek relations are not urgent, but serve to the strategy for the coming generations.

Majko declared that the Albanian-Greek relations are a positive precedent of how can the problems in the Balkan region be solved.

PM Simitis on his side, stressed that Greece will continue to assist Albania to be integrated in Europe and to be economically restored.

Simitis declared that his government will carry on the legalization process of the Albanian emigrants.

Meanwhile, the Albanian PM and his Greek counterpart were engaged to fight criminality, illegal traffic of emigrants and terrorism.

In regard to the Kosova problem, the Greek Prime Minister said that he is against the violence exerted in Kosova and it should be given the autonomy. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albanian Helsinki Committee calls for quiet and normal campaign

This committee severely condemns the recent events, which have violently infringed the referendum campaign. "These are attempts to sabotate the campaign for the Constitution Referendum, to sow tension, fear and insecurity," stresses the AHC.

According to this committee, the debate on the content of the Constitution is losing ground in front of the irresponsible acts of the elements and forces which consider the referendum as a new occasion for the destabilization of the situation in the country. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Albania to be backed by us and international community, Leblanc

During the meeting, Ambassador Bushati presented the credentials to the Canadian Governor and thanked him on behalf of President Meidani and the Albanian Government for the international initiatives taken by Canada regarding the development of Albania and its participation in the Euro- Atlantic structures.

Governor Leblanc appreciated the current efforts of the Albanian government and people to consolidate the democracy, market economy, the institutions and pluralist system, by stressing the support of Canada and the international community in this difficult, but secure, process for Albania. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] UNDP presents alternative "Weapons for Development" in Gramsh

The project, conceived by the United Nations, will start in one or two communes after a final agreement will be reached with the donors. The funds will be used in three directions: strengthening of police, reconstruction of a necessary road for the transportation of the agricultural products and the establishment of a telephone exchange which will connect Gramsh with its communes.

The pilot-project was first presented in June of 1998 when a mission, headed by the deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Jayantha Dhanapala, visited Albania. He recommended that the program for the collection of weapons is connected with the investments for the development of a community and for this aim the district of Gramsh was selected.

Some 10-12% of the weapons were looted during the last year's riots in the district of Gramsh. Some 500 weapons were voluntarily handed over, meanwhile that some 10 000 others are in the hands of the population. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Justice should operate aganist terrorist elements, Bushati

"Such acts do not serve the stability and tranquility in Albania. Justice should act and hardly hit the terrorist elements," the chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Zef Bushati, told a news conference on Thursday.

The Christian Democratic leader called on order bodies to prevent such violent acts by considering it a priority task of the current government.

"If Majko government will not take measures to strengthen the order and restore public tranquility in the country, then it shows inability to govern," said Bushati.

The declaration of the Christian Democratic Party is made after the recent events in Tirana, Shkoder and Kukes, where the terrorist elements have carried out violent acts by infringing the country's stability. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Possibility for legalization of Albanian emigrants in Italy

"This is an achievement which became concrete during the last visit of the Albanian government delegation in Italy," the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Kadri Rapi, told Thursday a news conference.

According to him, no limits have been set for the number of the Albanian emigrants who will be legalized during 1998, while for the next years it has been defined a number of 3000 persons.

"Our aim is to create a legal emigration procedure in Italy, which will influence on the prevention of the illegal traffics of emigrants," said Rapi.

According to the recent decree of the Italian government on emigration, three categories profit: the persons who go to Italy for ordinary jobs and find the job, those who want to open a new activity and the persons who have relatives in Italy and provide financial support for them until they find the job themselves. /lh/mt/

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