Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Some 3200 boxes of smuggling cigarettes seized within two weeks

[02] Prosecutor's pretence for Abdel-Kader, 20-years imprisonment

[03] Dinghy which caused tragedy on 24 October found

[04] New Commander for European Anti-contraband in Albania

[05] TNT blast in Lazarat

[06] Durres - Constant birth-rate, increase of abortions

[07] Monument institution and Catholic Church are to proclaim the north cult objects "Cultural monuments"

[08] Some 60 houses to be built near Deçani for Serbs and Montenegrins

[09] French-Albanian Administration Institute inaugurated

[10] Price indexes increased in October

[11] Journalists of Rilindja paper asks its publishment in Prishtina

[12] Savings Bank - Clients prefer deposits in drachmas

[13] Control in national street reinforced

[14] Elbasani law students to be tested in Tirane

[15] Some $17.2 million to finance 20 enterprises, AAEF

[16] Tirana University rectors in "Europe Universities week"

[17] Dollar as against 142 Leks

[18] Kosova needs a permanent international protection

[19] Lower interests rates in Savings Bank after November 16

[20] First National Public Health Conference to be held in December

[21] Godo says Constitution, great civil step

[22] OSCE Ambassador Daan Everts in Shkoder

[23] Livestock contest in district of Korce

[24] Money offer increases by six billion leks

[25] Political Grouping Union for Democracy invited to present remarks for new Constitution after the referendum

[26] Albanian private schools need open in Greece

[27] DP should have taken part in drafting constitution - British ambassador

[28] Invitation to Union for Democracy, expression of readiness for compromise - Imami

[01] Some 3200 boxes of smuggling cigarettes seized within two weeks

The spokesman of the Ministry of Public Order told ATA that the Sector against the Economic-Financial Crime in the Ministry of Public Order managed to seize in different areas of the country, like in Himare, Lezhe, Tushemisht and Tirana, some 3200 boxes of cigarettes of the brands L&M, Assos, Marlboro, Cooper, etc., worth 2.5 billion leks.

These operations will intensively continue to put an end to smuggling, added the spokesman.

The strengthening of order and the fight against smuggling and corruption have been one of the government priorities. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Prosecutor's pretence for Abdel-Kader, 20-years imprisonment

Reading the pretence, the prosecutor of the case, Arison Puka, said the accused Abdel-Kader is guilty of the murder of Albanian student, Lorenc Vangjeli. He asked the jury to declare the accused guilty and sentence him to 20 years imprisonment.

In his plea the accused again insisted to have come here on behalf of Osama Bin Laden, to fight for Allah in Kosova.

Regarding the murder of Vangjeli he repeated the version: "I had the kalachikov in my hands, when he jumped over me and the gun fired."

The verdict will be announced in the final trial session for this case, to be held on Friday.

Abdel-Kader is accused of the murder of the student Lorenc Vangjeli, in the flat, which the murderer and his three English friends had taken on rent, in "Qamil Guranjaku" street in Tirane, on June 1. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Dinghy which caused tragedy on 24 October found

On 24 October, two dinghies, moving in different directions, clashed with one another in vicinity of Sazan island. Due to this, several people were drowned. Nine persons have been found so far, who were from different districts of Albania. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] New Commander for European Anti-contraband in Albania

"I am pleased, I was useful in these periods of changes for Albanian society," lieutenant colonel Marzocca told ATA before leaving Albania.

While the new Commander, Nencha said "I am proud of the duty trusted to me and convinced in the fruitful cooperation with Albanian side."

CAM SEA Mission, financed by European Union and Albanian government, with a staff of 50 military men began its activity in Albania in 1998. In cooperation with Albanian anti-contraband unit, they have had several positive results, among which the seizure of 170 tons smuggling cigarettes in "Lucky Mar", and the sequestration of 6.5 tons L&M cigarettes in Dasine gulf, 3 km south of Vlore. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] TNT blast in Lazarat

According to the crime experts, the event happened early on Friday (03:00), and due to the explosion of a considerable amount of TNT a private car has been completely destroyed, and a bakery has been heavily damaged.

According the chief of crimes, lieutenant colonel Mehmet Dervishi, the blast happened close to the house of an inhabitant, who denounced early on Friday to the order bodies.

The citizens, Bahir Basha, confessed that the motives of this act are related with his being as head of the Democratic Alliance branch, and with the fact that he has been candidate for commune chairman of the Alliance for State in the partial local elections, held on June 20 of this year.

According to the chief of crimes, the Lazarat village is almost out of the police control, because more than 14 persons, wanted by the police, are hidden in this village. All these persons are accused of committing grave crimes.

A police roadblock is expected to be set up in the segment of the road close to this village within the next ten days, added Dervishi. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Durres - Constant birth-rate, increase of abortions

According to the same sources, infant death-rate has been decreased from 31.2 per thousand in 1995, to 23,9 per thousand last year. But increase of abortion rate, concerns specialists of both local Family Planning Centers.

Gynecologist Arben Haxhihyseni told ATA that over January-September this year, according to official figures, there were 991 cases of abortion, 780 out of which on patients' request.

According to Haxhihyseni, 670 abortions belong to inhabitants of the city and 321 to inhabitants of the villages. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Monument institution and Catholic Church are to proclaim the north cult objects "Cultural monuments"

This is an initiative of the Institution of Culture, which in collaboration with the Catholic church will make possible the investigation of all the ruins of the cult monuments in the north of the country.

A small number of the monuments having this status are counted in the northern Albania. The Institution of the Monuments is founded in 1967, time when the repressive measures were taken for the cult monuments in Albania, and the expeditions were focused only in the Southern and Middle Albania.

The expeditions made for about a three year period, proclaimed "cultural monuments" only the cult centers situated in this parts of Albania. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Some 60 houses to be built near Deçani for Serbs and Montenegrins

These houses are to be given to the Serbs and the Montenegrins whose houses have been destroyed during the armed riots of Kosova Liberation Army guerillas, reported the Serb press. /Y.Ta/A.A/

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[09] French-Albanian Administration Institute inaugurated

This new, one-year post-university institute is headed by assistant professor Dr. Aleksander Xhuvani. It will provide the graduators with French diploma and enables them to run private and public enterprises according to contemporary standards.

Present in the ceremony were the Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka and the ambassador of the Republic of France in Albania, Patrick Kristman and the rector of Tirana University, Maranglen Spiro.

Albania, in the Hanoi's meeting this year, was accepted as an observer in the family of francophone countries.

Both Tirana Universities are members of Francophone University Organisation. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Price indexes increased in October

According to the data of Statistic Institution, as compared with the December 1997, the indexes of the prices were increased by 6.27%, while compared with the same period of the previous year the price indexes were increased by 11.17%.

The increase of the price indexes in October has come as a result of the increasing of the indexes of the group price " Food, Drinks,cigarettes" by 0.3%. The indexes of the prices "Clothes and shoes" had an increase if 2%, affecting the price indexes by 0.05%.

The indexes of the group "Rent, water and energy" were increased by 0.2% and it affected by 0.02% the increase of the price indexes. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Journalists of Rilindja paper asks its publishment in Prishtina

The Kosova journalists considered absurd the decision taken some 8 years ago (on 7 August 1990) by the Assembly of Serbia "for the temporary prevention" of the Kosova daily paper in the Albanian language "Rilindja."

The journalists and employees of "Rilindja" addressed an appeal for support and solidarity to all the international institutions and journalists' organizations and associations throughout the world, as well as to those in Kosova and in all Albanian territories. /p.ta/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Savings Bank - Clients prefer deposits in drachmas

According to the sources from this Bank, deposits in GRD are result of many trade relations existing between Albanian and Greek firms and the considerable number of the Albanian emigrants, who deposit their incomes in the Savings Bank.

GRD deposits reached the top in December 1997, when the deposits in this currency covered 64%.

The other foreign currencies cover the following percentages:

deposits in USD - 21.1%, deposits in DM - 2.5% and deposits in Italian lira - 12.1. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Control in national street reinforced

According to the Gjirokaster senior police officials, the Public Order Ministry has send to this commissariat an armored vehicle and other equipments, because the Kakavije- Gjirokaster road segment presents several problems to the citizens. The Order Ministry had installed two months ago two armored vehicles and a special police unit in this segment of road Kakavije-Ballsh.

The removal of the special units and of the armored vehicles some months before, increased the activity of criminal elements causing robery and terror to the people traveling to this road segment.

The chief of the commissariat, lieutenant, Shkelqim Berberi, told ATA that there is information for the identity of the riot groups operating in the Kakavije-Gjirokaster road segment, and that the bodies close to this ministry are following with priority the compiled operative plan.

The police leaders, nominated a few days ago, said that in the emergent measures are also comprised the intensive and reinforced controls and the setting of the immovable post-blocks. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Elbasani law students to be tested in Tirane

This is a mutual project of the two universities, adopted by the Education and Science Ministry, which establishes the respective modalities in order to make the students continue normally their exams in Tirane Law Faculty.

The number of correspondence students coming in Tirane, is approximately thought to be 1 500-1 800. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Some $17.2 million to finance 20 enterprises, AAEF

AAEF opened its offices in Tirane in 1995. It operates as an independent private investing fund to support the economic development in Albania.

AAEF is to invest some $ 6 million a year for 10-15 projects in the field of industry, agricultural inputs etc.

The AAEF board has adopted investments for 20 enterprises, with a total sum of $17.2 million, out of which $14 million are disbursed and the rest is under the process of the disbursement. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Tirana University rectors in "Europe Universities week"

"We participate in this meeting in the framework of European University network, 'Unique', in which Albania, helped by Sapienza University, was included last year," Maringlen Spiro, Tirana University rector told ATA. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Dollar as against 142 Leks

Foreign currency Exchange rate in Leks USD 142.00

DM 84.80

ITL(1000) 85.60

GRD(100) 49.90 /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Kosova needs a permanent international protection

Kosova needs a permanent international protection, President Rugova told in a news conference on Friday.

"Many displaced people are afraid of returning to their houses", said Rugova voicing the necessity of a bigger international security. He spoke of the Serb political trials against the young Kosovars, and mentioned the arrest of the Kosova Democratic League (KDL) vice-chairman and four other members of Gjilani presidency. Rugova asked the release of Malisheve KDL chairman, Jakup Kastrati and its presidency member, Cen Desku from prison. They are kept under arrest by some Kosova Liberation Army groups. "This is not in Kosova's benefit", said Rugova gravely.

President Rugova urged the coming of the Hague, U.N Tribunal experts to investigate on crimes committed by the Serb forces in Kosova.

He also urged the immediate setting to work of the verification mission, but restressed the necessity to place the NATO troops in Kosova. "The best solution is the independent Kosova with all the guarantees for the Serbs of Kosova, and an international protectorate in the transitional phase," - said Rugova. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Lower interests rates in Savings Bank after November 16

A reason for the reduction is the lower level of inflation on an annual basis in October to 11.18 per cent from 16.5 per cent that was in September. Another reason is also the stability of lek towards hard currency in Albania and the growth of deposits in lek in the Savings Bank.

From 1997, the interest rate have changed several times. From 26 per cent that was the maximal interest rate at the end of 1997, in May it was reduced to 24 lek. A month ago, the maximal interest rate for deposits in lek in the Savings Bank fell to 18 %. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] First National Public Health Conference to be held in December

The Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, said Friday that this is the most important fruit of the cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Albania and the World Health Organization (WHO.)

"The Ministry of Health has drafted programs but indispensable for it is the drafting of a health policy in view of the coming 20 years, with a set strategy and system, which may be called differently 'Constitution in Health,'" said Minister Solis.

He added that so far two basic documents on Albanian health policy have been drafted. Solis considered important the investment in the field of the prevention of diseases. "So far, a fund of 40 USD per capita has been defined in the health system in Albania, but important is to know how and where to use it, in order to prevent diseases," said Solis. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Godo says Constitution, great civil step

Godo said we have to do with a constitution benefiting all Albanians.

"Drafting and approving a constitution is only one side, the other side, very important, is recognition by the people of its articles and its implementation in practice."

"Knowing the amendments of the constitution the citizens will not allow either the judge to handle cases wrongly, or the administrator to make arbitraries, which might violate the human rights and freedoms."

Godo said that renowned constitutionalists Loloci, Hasani and Zaharia responded to numerous questions by the participants in the meeting. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] OSCE Ambassador Daan Everts in Shkoder

Prefect Ali Lacej briefed Ambassador Everts of the developments in Shkoder city two days ago, which were shunned thanks to the cooperation of the local government with forces of order.

Lacej briefed Mr Everts of the economic difficulties which Shkodra is facing and asked from Mr Everts more investments for that region.

Ambassador Everts voiced the pleasure that the situation in the city of Shkoder was put quickly under the state control. "This shows that Shkoder does not want an unstable situation, but some forces want to draw different profits through Shkoder," said Everts. He added that OSCE will support Shkoder through programs of development and soon a conference will be held there with the participation of international institutions and organizations for the development of business in Shkoder.

Everts demanded cooperation among all political forces because only in this way, he said, the democratic processes will move ahead and Albania will be soon integrated into the big European family.

Mr Everts held a meeting with representatives of the anticommunist associations in that city, without the presence of reporters. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Livestock contest in district of Korce

The French party put at the disposal of this activity a total of 800 000 lek for the prizes of the contest. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Money offer increases by six billion leks

The increase of fixed deposits and those in foreign currency have vastly influenced in this increase. In contrast with the previous months the foreign currency deposits have considerably increased, at the boundary of three billion leks.

Meanwhile, the increase of fixed deposits has again resulted powerful (by some three billion leks), so that their increase as an eight month period was above the limit of 30 billion leks.

The money outside the banks this month remained almost at the level of the previous month. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Political Grouping Union for Democracy invited to present remarks for new Constitution after the referendum

The invitation writes that "after we have followed with full attention the remarks for the new Constitution, in the present moment when the People's Assembly has passed it and when the Referendum will be held after 10 days, there is no legal space for your remarks to be examined and reflected in the Constitution."

In the last effort to transform the Constitution from "an apple of discord" to "a table of understanding" says the invitation, "we voice our pledge that in order that all your remarks and suggestions be made public, right after the Referendum, in the shortest possible time, a negotiating table will be held with the participation of the parliamentary parties in order to sign a pact for the examining of all the contestable articles of the constitution."

The co-chairmen voice their readiness for the discussion and the possible supplements of this proposal, and that all the options about the table of the parties will be sent to the People's Assembly. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Albanian private schools need open in Greece

"There are around 25 000 children of Albanian emigrants residing in Greece for years now and who risk to turn into beggars and wrongdoers if our state does not care for their schooling in their mother tongue," Prof. Shefki Osmani, said at the meeting.

Osmani stressed that there are more than 7 000 Albanian children who do not yet thoroughly know their own language.

Minister Ruka showed readiness to begin efforts in this direction, in cooperation with Greek government representatives.

The representatives of the Diaspora Institution stressed that all possibilities exist that the Albanian and Greek languages be taught within 200 kms of the border between the two states.

As regards the Greek education system in Albania, this year alone 1 670 pupils of the Greek minority in the districts of Gjirokaster, Sarande, Delvine and Permet attend compulsory system schools.

In the aforesaid districts there are 40 eight-year schools for the Greek minority children (in 11 of these schools they are taught together with Albanian children) as well as 26 other elementary schools for the Greek minority children. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] DP should have taken part in drafting constitution - British ambassador

"The Democratic Party should have taken part in drafting a constitution, because now its remarks are delayed," said Nash, adding that "we have drawn its attention to this since the beginning".

As the constitution is significant for Albanians Nash says that the DP should take part in the referendum process.

"We are now making efforts to convince it to join the referendum process, despite calls to its electorate not to take part in voting the Constitution," Nash concluded. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Invitation to Union for Democracy, expression of readiness for compromise - Imami

"There are chances for understanding and agreement up to the last minute," said Imami. "Although the remarks and suggestions by DP came later than the acceptable limit, still their proposals have value." In the concrete proposals for four articles of the Constitution, Imami does not see any of them running counter to the spirit of the Constitution.

"Our invitation was extended to the grouping in these moments because the written remarks from DP were made public only two days ago," explained Imami. "Remarks from DP are not for key issues but still they are related with special articles related with human rights."

Underlining the importance of the approval of the Constitution, Imami said that "this is a Constitution to be decided by referendum and cannot change." "For the sake of understanding and for a broader complete political support, something may be reviewed," he added, laying the stress on the need of the negotiating table. /dast/xh/

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