Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Care for Antigonea - students' initiative

[02] Snow blocks Puke district roads

[03] Tempus project: Over 100 000 ECU for Veterinary Faculty

[04] Pupils keep quitting school in Mat

[05] Consultancy agreement on village aqueduct signed

[06] Customs incomes doubled

[07] Tirane voter turnout in referendum is 47% -over 90% voted for Constitution-

[08] Some 1 200 new students attend higher schools part time

[09] Albanian President highlights increase of Turkish investments in Albania

[10] Referendum in Albania, a decisive step on road of political stability and democratization - Greek Government

[11] Cooperation at local level is very important for relations among countries, Meidani

[12] Peaceful Referendum, a step forward for Albania, says Cook

[13] Radio-Tirana to celebrate its 60th anniversary

[14] Albanian Minister of Culture visits Italy

[15] Denunciation in prosecutor's office for deputy director of Albtransport

[16] Protocols from 14 other districts of Albania reach Central Voting Commission

[17] Rugova meets special envoy of Russian Federation

[18] Photo exhibition of Marubi in Bari Fair

[19] Two Albania-EU agreements with 6 million ECU each in context of Cross- Border Program 1998

[01] Care for Antigonea - students' initiative

This initiative of the city's youths, encouraged earlier by Soros Foundation, besides maintenance of the city, constructed by Pyrrhus by the beginning of the third century B.C., near the village of Saraqinisht, Gjirokaster district, also aims at nourishing love for nation's ancient archaeological and cultural values in the young generation.

The Soros representative in Gjirokaster, Silvana Xuhano, told ATA that the youths, who are fond of archeology and love everything inherited by our ancestors, are found in the environments of the Antigonea town almost every weekend.

In the environments of Antigonea, the young pupils have also discovered a column of a cult institution, said Xuhano, adding that the parents of the pupils have also been involved in this initiative. /lh/mt/

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[02] Snow blocks Puke district roads

For two days now snowfalls have blocked several road segments in Puke district.

Lush Hanxhari, inspector at Shkoder Prefecture told ATA that the roads connecting Puke with Kukes and Tropoje, as well as the ones leading to Iballe and Fierze have remained blocked since three days. Works to unblock these segments and other national roads, such as Puke-Shkoder and Puke-Fushe-Arres were carried out, but later fresh snowfalls blocked them again.

The same source said that inhabitants of Fierze and Iballe blocked zones have had no problem regarding the necessary food supply, because winter reserves for these communes have been sent in due time. /s.sh./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Tempus project: Over 100 000 ECU for Veterinary Faculty

"This fund will be used to buy new equipment, didactic materials and training to help improve the teaching methods in this faculty," Prof. Dr. Dashamir Xhaxhiu, coordinator of this project, told ATA.

For the 1996-1998 period, the project has financed 254,600 ECU, including 65 000 ECU for equipment, (computer, microscope, texts and other equipment) and 189, 600 ECU will address the staff and students.

Some 56,395 ECU from the above fund have been spent on scientific activities carried out by the faculty's27 teachers and 28, 222 ECU for professional training of 18 students in Italy, Germany and other states. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Pupils keep quitting school in Mat

Sources from the statistics office of the district's education department told ATA that there is a decrease in the number of pupils in all the school categories which reaches 7% of the number of the pupils attendeding school one year ago.

In this district, according to the latest statistics, the elementary school is attended by 1.478 children, the eight-year-school 12.919 pupils and middle school 1.913 pupils. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Consultancy agreement on village aqueduct signed

The consultancy agreement with Turkish firm "SEYAS Consultants" to draft procuration procedures of aqueduct entrepreneurship for 87 villages in 6 districts of the country was signed in Tirane today. The agreement was signed by Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ingrid Shuli and President of Turkish consultancy firm, Jalcin Tetzan.

Turkish company won the consultancy bid for this project, financed by a credit of 4.80 million dinar (6.99 million USD) provided by Islamic Bank of Development.

The credit has to be paid off within 25 years.

Economic Development and Foreign Aid Coordination Department says that this project will provide drinking water for a population of 66.140 inhabitants, living in the poorest and mountainous regions of the country, such as Malesi e Madhe, Mat, Skrapar, Mirdite, Tepelene and Permet.

Islamic Bank loan will be used to finance instalment of steel tubes, special parts, equipment, transport vehicles, engineering consultancy service and 78% of the public works. The rest of 22% will be financed by the state budget. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Customs incomes doubled

Over 14.7 billion leks were deposited in the state budget for a ten- month-period in 1997, while these ten months they are estimated at 29,7 billion leks.

The state budget estimates the customs income plan for this year to be around 42 billion leks. Over the first 20 days of November, according to customs' leading officials, the plan has been realised by over 70% and more incomes are expected to be deposited in the coming days.

The organised fight against contraband between the customs' bodies and public order forces, in cooperation with the Euro-customs helped that not only the vans but also ships clear their goods through customs.

Last night alone, three ships moving in the waters of the southern part of Vlore came to anchor and have began to clear their goods through customs. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Tirane voter turnout in referendum is 47% -over 90% voted for Constitution-

According to the final report this district voting commission sent to the Central Commission on Wednesday shows that out of 92 201 voters enrolled in 218 polling stations of the Tirane distrcit, 43 386 voters, or nearly 47% , took part in the referendum. Some 41 943 voters, or nearly 90% of them, inhabitants in the district's two city-halls and 16 communes expressed themselves in favour of the constitution.

The members of this commission, SP, DP and RP representatives, told ATA that the voting day ran peacefully and without problems that could affect the electoral process. The whole material of the referendum, the final reports of the voting commissions and the material basis was transported by military vehicles.

The contribution of the forces of commissariat 4 of the Tirane police department was positively assessed. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Some 1 200 new students attend higher schools part time

An official of the High Education department in the Ministry of Education told ATA on Wednesday that the quota approved envisages that 1 000 students be admitted for the first time in the faculty when they win the respective test, while 200 others are foreseen to attend higher studies in a second university branch.

Tirane University marks the highest number of correspondence students with 157 places. Shkoder University will have 143 places while Agriculture University of Kamze (near Tirane) will have 60 places. Many youths will also attend high studies in the Universities of Elbasan, Korce and Gjirokaster.

The tests will be held from December 9 to 12. /pas/lm/lola/

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[09] Albanian President highlights increase of Turkish investments in Albania

The President's press and information office reports that Mr Meidani evaluated the vigorous growth of the Turkish investments in various fields of the Albanian economy.

President Meidani also stressed that there is still to be made in the economic field and highlighted as very important the exchange of information in order to know the possibilities that the economic of the two countries offer.

Prof.dr.Tezcan handed over to Mr Meidani a friendly message by the Turkish President Sulejman Demirel.

Attending the meeting also was the Turkish Ambassador in Tirane, Ahmet Okcun. /dast/xh/

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[10] Referendum in Albania, a decisive step on road of political stability and democratization - Greek Government

The statement, which was distributed by the Greek Embassy in Tirane, says that the spokesman of the Greek Foreign Ministry, Theodhoro Theodhoru, in the name of the ministry he represents, voiced the pleasure for the way how the referendum of November 22, 1998, for the new Constitution of Albania was conducted and for its results. "The fact that the referendum passed off peacefully, said Theodhoru, is an important development and rather positive if taking into consideration the tense climate due to the stance of the Democratic Party and in particular of its chairman, Sali Berisha." Further on Theodhoru stressed in the statement that it was regrettable that DP abstained in the Referendum.

"Although the final results are not yet announced, it is clear that more than 50% of the eligible voters took part in the vote and the majority of them voted in favour of the Constitution," pointed out the statement. At the end, the spokesman also underlined the fact that Greece would continue to assist neighbouring Albania on its road towards development and progress. /dast/xh/

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[11] Cooperation at local level is very important for relations among countries, Meidani

Referring to particular aspects of the cooperation fields between Divjaka and San Benedetto, Meidani stressed that the encouragement of the economic exchanges and investments, the cooperation in the field of culture, environment and public administration are very important elements of exchanges of these regions with common characteristics, as important touristic centers.

President Meidani appreciated the initiative of the authorities of San Benedetto for the education of 60 children from Divjaka area, considering this an effectively assistance for the future of the Albanian society. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Peaceful Referendum, a step forward for Albania, says Cook

"This was an important step forward for Albania. I welcome your efforts to work with the opposition. It is very important for all the parties to build a democratic and stable Albania," says the message of Robin Cook, which was reported to ATA by the advisor of the Albanian deputy Premier.

The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook voiced the interest of the United Kingdom for the stability and prosperity of Albania, saying that "we will continue to support your efforts towards these goals," ends the message, addressed to the deputy PM Ilir Meta. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Radio-Tirana to celebrate its 60th anniversary

60 years ago, in November 28, 1938, King Zog inaugurated the first radio station of Albania, named Radio-Tirana.

Radio-Tirana has been the first 'Academy' of the Albanian literary language, by preserving and cultivating it. Through its information, educational and cultural programs, this radio has played an irreplaceable role in promoting the cultural values of the Albanian people.

Representatives of private, radios, written press, Albanian speaking foreign radios, etc., will be invited in the ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Radio Tirana, to be marked on Thursday at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirane.

During the ceremony, medals accorded by Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, will be distributed for some distinguished people. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian Minister of Culture visits Italy

Sources from the Ministry of Culture told ATA that the "visit of Minister Rama will focus on the terms of cooperation between the two ministries and will help encourage the beginning of some projects of very great importance in the field of culture." /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Denunciation in prosecutor's office for deputy director of Albtransport

According to Velaj, on 14 and 26 October, two airplanes of the Albanian Airlines could not land in the airfields of Rinas because of darkness caused by the lack of lighting in these runways and were forced to turn back, thus avoiding a possible catastrophe.

Based on the denunciation and the preliminary investigations of this case, the responsible person for this is the deputy director of Albtransport in Rinas, Niko Brahu.

For the first case, after the analysis of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the deputy director was asked not to repeat this phenomenon again. While, for the second case, this person is charged with legal responsibility, says the denunciation against Niko Braho. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Protocols from 14 other districts of Albania reach Central Voting Commission

Follow the results for 14 districts of Albania which have reached the Central Voting Commission:

District Turnout Votes for Berat 72,4% 92,6% Delvine 69,7% 93% Devoll 53,3% 92,3% Gjirokaster 61,2% 92% Kolonje 70,6% 91% Lezhe 39,7% 89,6% Korçe 59% 93% Librazhd 54,6% 91,6% Malësi e Madhe 35% 90% Diber 40% 91,5% Peqin 58,8% 90,6% Sarande 72,2% 93,3% Tirane 47% 88% Vlore 62% 92%

The results for the referendum show that so far the turnout is about 57 % and more than 90 % of them have said "yes" to the new Constitution.

The voting reports from the districts of Shkoder, Tropoje, Puke, Durres and some other districts as well as the results from the city-hall of Tirane are expected to arrive in the Central Voting Commission, said to ATA the secretary of the Central Voting Commission, Shahin Bistri.

"The documentation is generally correct but there are cases when Union for Democracy deputy chairmen or members in the voting commission have not signed the reports." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Rugova meets special envoy of Russian Federation

After the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, Majorski told the journalists that he had discussed about the current situation, the project-document on a political solution for Kosova and the work which should continue in this direction.

A report from the Kosova presidency says that in the meeting with President Rugova, Majorski has stressed that "the government of the Russian Federation is engaged for the solution of the Kosova issue through political means."

In response to the interest of the Russian diplomats regarding the possibility of beginning the negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade, President Rugova has voiced the stand that "the dialogue should be prepared and should give concrete results."

Talking about the situation in Kosova, Rugova stressed that "it continues to be grave due to the Serb violence and its tragic consequences" and has expressed the hope that "the deployment of the Verification Mission, will calm down the situation." /b.j/dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Photo exhibition of Marubi in Bari Fair

The inspector of culture in Shkoder town-hall, Visar Bala told ATA that the exhibition had 20 photos with views from Shkoder in 1930. In some of them, the great master of photography, Marubi, proves of the ancient trade relations of his birthplace with the city of Bari.

The photos in the exhibition placed in the Albanian pavilion in the Fair were retrieved from the photo archives of Marubi family created since 1868. It carries over 500 negatives which register many of the most important events of Albania's history. /xh/

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[19] Two Albania-EU agreements with 6 million ECU each in context of Cross- Border Program 1998

The agreements were signed from the Albanian party by the Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade, Ermelinda Meksi and from the European Union by the chairman of the EU delegation in Tirane, Elio Germano. The two agreements crowned the one-year efforts made by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade, the ministries related with these programs, in close cooperation with EU.

The objectives of the Cross-border Cooperation Program of Albania with Greece and Italy are the improvement and rehabilitation of the infrastructure of transport, development of services (including telecommunications), improvement of quality of environment (including rehabilitation of aqueducts and sewage,) economic development based on the development of business in border regions, development of human resources and improvement and development of agriculture along with the direction and application of the program. /xh/

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

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