Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] New forces from Serbia arrive in Kosove

[02] Meidani: Art plays significant role in building civil society

[03] Reception in Turkish Embassy in Tirane on occasion of the signing of contract for aqueducts

[04] Social Cultural centre for youth in Durres

[05] Ten second level banks operate in Albania

[06] Deputy chairman of voting commission killed for personal motives - police

[07] Fair '98 of Klik-Ekspo-Klik opens

[08] 86th anniversary of raising national flag in Tirane commemorated

[09] Approval of constitution by the Albanian people - important step forward - Demirel

[10] Albanian Telecom aims establishment of GSM Mobile Telephone system

[11] Approval of constitution, significant factor for Albania -pronouncement of Russian Foreign Ministry Press Centre

[12] Petric expected to visit Prishtine

[13] Rinas Airport with 300 thousand passengers a year

[14] Value of US dollar lowers slightly

[15] Union of Albanian Business Organisations created - "Government ready to facilitate your performance"- Majko

[16] Elida Co' opens 5th International Fair

[17] DP urges International Community to be more mature in its declaration on referendum

[18] Constitution approval - necessity for Albania, Jones

[19] Foreign Parliamentary Commission proposes Selly Becker's decoration

[20] Handover of all districts referendum final reports ended -CEC will release official voting results

[21] Albanian integration in Italian labour market

[01] New forces from Serbia arrive in Kosove

Albanian sources said that during the last 24 hours, especially over the night, Serb forces have provoked and opened fire against Albanian centres in the outskirts of Malisheve, Suhareke and Kline. From last night's shots a shop in Suhareke has been damaged while in Kijeve, in which al Albanian residents have fled since 6 months, Serb forces torched a house which was until then not ruined.

Sources from Peja say that the Yugoslav army has strengthened positions on the road leading to Cakorr and has completely isolated Albanian villages of Rugove. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Meidani: Art plays significant role in building civil society

President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani on Wednesday attended a ceremony held in Fier on the 30th anniversary of the creation of its theatre.

At this ceremony Meidani awarded the Golden Order "Naim Frasheri" to the renowned actress of this theatre, Hajrie Rondo.

Meidani expressed the conviction that the Fier artists and intellectuals, as well as ordinary citizens will know to contribute to the construction of a civil society, of which they are a part.

He stressed that all should contribute, directly or indirectly, to construction of this society, in which art plays a significant role.

Meidani awarded actress Hajrie Rondo the Golden Title "Naim Frasheri" under the motivation "For a high level of interpretation in theatre and cinematography". /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Reception in Turkish Embassy in Tirane on occasion of the signing of contract for aqueducts

Attending the reception were the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ingrid Shuli and the President of the Turkish consultant firm Jalcin Tetzan.

The project will supply drinking water for 87 villages in 6 districts of Albania. /a.gj/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Social Cultural centre for youth in Durres

The coordinator of the centre, Bajana Cereli, said this centre will organize foreign language and computer courses. It will also encourage young talents by organizing concerts and exhibitions of figurative arts.

Such youth social-cultural centres have recently been established in other cities of Albania such as in Berat, Korce, etc. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Ten second level banks operate in Albania

Sources from the Bank of Albania say that the number of the licensed second level banks, which have started their operation, has reached 10.

The main second level banks include the National Commerce Bank (BKT), the Savings Bank (BK), the Arab-Albanian Islamic Bank, the Dardania Bank, the Tirane Bank, the Greek National Bank affiliation in Tirane, the International Commerce Bank, the Alpha Credit A. E Affiliation in Tirane and the American Bank of Albania.

Three of these banks, two second level state banks and the Tirana Bank, besides in the capital, also operate in other districts of Albania.

The biggest, the Savings Bank, has 23 affiliations, 123 bank agencies and 2194 workers.

By the end of October the Bank of Albania has decided to grant license also to another bank, the first affiliation of "Bulgaria's Investments Bank", but this bank has not yet started its activity in Albania. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Deputy chairman of voting commission killed for personal motives - police

The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA that through operational legal sources, it results that the killing of Dervishi has been completely for personal reasons.

The spokesman explained that local police have full proofs for the killing and they will be revealed in a few days.

Ligor Dervishi, 53, was found killed at 6.45 a.m. of November 22 in village Kafer of the commune of Gjinar, Elbasan district. Police also found on the spot a rifle, 5 bullets and a cartridge. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Fair '98 of Klik-Ekspo-Klik opens

Also attending the inauguration ceremony was Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and Government ministers.

Luan Muhametaj, director of this association, said that 70% of foreign associations and 30% local ones take part in the fair.

Fair '98 has the International Agricultural pavilion, as well as that of Construction, Transport, Energy and Telecommunication.

The fair also includes two other pavilions for the wide public: Confort 98, in which household appliances are displayed and the pavilion of gifts "Souvenir '98".

The Tirana-Art-Fair pavilion in this edition exposed the renowned publishing houses, the cinematographic and TV film, achievements in painting and sculpture.

The new of this edition is the presentation of the media sector and the International Handicraft Pavilion with guests from Marocco, India, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and other states. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] 86th anniversary of raising national flag in Tirane commemorated

On this occasion the ceremony of raising the national flag by the capital's mayor, Albert Brojka was held at the Flag's square in Tirana on Thursday before noon.

The participants in this ceremony were greeted by the director of the district's museums, Ramiz Xhani.

On this occasion, Brojka and other local government leaders met with representatives from old and patriotic families in Tirane. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Approval of constitution by the Albanian people - important step forward - Demirel

TIRANE, Nov.26 (ata) - By E Nepravishta: On occasion of the National Day of Albania and the completion of the people's referendum for the approval of the new constitution of the Republic of Albania, the President Rexhep Meidani received Thursday a message of greetings from his Turkish counterpart, Sulejman Demirel, the President's press and information office reports.

"On occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Albania, I have the pleasure to convey to Your Excellency and through you to all Albanian people, my most sincere congratulations and best wishes on my behalf and in the name of the Turkish people," writes the message.

Further on in his message, President Demirel stresses that the National Day, accompanied this year also with the adoption of the Constitution is an historic event for Albanian democracy.

"The approval of the Constitution by the Albanian people must be considered an important forward step towards the road of Albania for a complete democracy in the interest of its people," ends the message of the Turkish President, wishing President Meidani welfare for the Albanian people. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian Telecom aims establishment of GSM Mobile Telephone system

Along with the mobile phone service, according to studies of the Telecom, the capacity of the local network will increase with 200 000 lines. The extension of the telecommunication system covers the zone Tirane- Durres, one of the most important economic zones, with up to 100 000 main lines. In addition, the capacity of local centrals is envisaged to double and the infrastructure of telecommunications in rural zones will be constructed.

According to studies in the Albanian Telecom, national network will be extended with optical fibres of nearly 950 km long. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Approval of constitution, significant factor for Albania -pronouncement of Russian Foreign Ministry Press Centre

It says that Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, the current chairman of OSCE, Geremek, leaders of CoE, EU and other international organisations called on the people to take part in the plebiscite, before the referendum.

"According to CoE specialists, the draft-constitution, approved by the Albanian parliament and presented in the referendum, fully complies with the European and world standards," says the pronouncement.

"Meanwhile, the leader of the Democratic Party, former President Sali Berisha, declared on November 23, at the rally with his supporters, that the opposition will not accept the referendum results, considering them as doctored," the pronouncement says, adding that the referendum was followed by 200 international observers, who represented the CoE and OSCE.

"According to the conclusions of the preliminary report of the international observers, the voting was fairly held, while the final conclusions of the observers' mission will be made public a week after."

Russia, on its part, continues to closely observe the development of the situation in Albania and actively join foreign efforts to help normalise it, what is indispensable, beside other things, to secure regional stability, the pronouncement concludes. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Petric expected to visit Prishtine

Petric is also expected to stay two days in Prishtine. On November 27 he is expected to meet with the U.S. mediator, Christopher Hill, and the chief of the OSCE verifying mission Wiliam Walker.

According to sources in Prishtine, Hill, expected to arrive in Prishtine today, will stop in Skoplje first, where he will meet with the NATO Secretary-General, Javier Solana and the Commander-in-chief of the NATO forces in Europe, General Wesley Clark, who are in FYROM on occasion of the establishment of the NATO commanding centre in Kumanove. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Rinas Airport with 300 thousand passengers a year

Now, after the reconstruction of the runway, 2750 meter long and 65 meters wide, all types of planes can land on it.

The illumination system in Rinas is of first category. From this airport about 300 000 passengers a year travel from and to Albania, about 900 tons of commodities are processed and various mail services are made such as DHL, TNT EMS, etc.

The Rinas airport, which is constructed in 1957, improvements have been made and are still expected to be made in the runway and in the passengers' terminal. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Value of US dollar lowers slightly

Exchange rates of lek with foreign currencies:

Kind of currency	Exchange rate
USD			142.80
DM			 84.80
LIT(1000)		 85.50
GRD(100)		 49.80

/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Union of Albanian Business Organisations created - "Government ready to facilitate your performance"- Majko

The first meeting of the Union of Albanian Business Organisation (BOBSH) was held for the first time at the Palace of Congresses today.

Also attending the meeting were speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and other government members.

In his speech, the chairman of the Organisation of Albanian Free Entrepreneurs, Koco Kokedhima, presented the demands for the Government to facilitate the Albanian businessmen's movement abroad, to restore order so as to protect and increase investments and appealed for dissociation from smugglers and traffickers, who, according to him, are few in the fold of the businessmen's associations.

Majko said that the government will help the businessmen and offer them facilities, as "only open and transparent cooperation can and should change the situation at home."

Majko said that foreigners doubt that Albania is a country in which not capitalism but all kinds of illegal traffics are developed.

"But the government aims to change this opinion. A praise-worthy process is now taking place in Albania, where, while the political class is trying to free itself from tensions, the businessmen, too, should distance themselves from contraband," said Majko.

Eight businessmen association are so far grouped in the BOBSH and negotiations are underway with three others , which wish to become member. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Elida Co' opens 5th International Fair

Present in the inauguration ceremony were the mayor of Tirane, Albert Brojka, Public Order Minister, Petro Koci and the Local Government Minister, Arben Demeti.

Representatives of Elida Co' said that 137 local and foreign firms are taking part in the fair. They are firms operating in the fields of construction, trade exchanges, industrial products and firms producing food items.

The president of Elida Co', Ylli Bektashi, said that the fair does not only display articles produced and imported to Albania but also helps that contracts be reached among various companies and firms."

Elida Co' has held its first fair in 1994. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] DP urges International Community to be more mature in its declaration on referendum

"We invite the international Community not to share the same stand with the Albanian politicians and not to kill the Albanian hope for a democratic future," the general DP secretary, Ridvan Bode, reported in a news conference.

The democratic leader stressed once more the opinion of his party for manipulations made on Referendum day, voicing that "Observing Mission members have not been present in the polling stations after 17.30, a period of time in which violence has been exercised in 183 poling stations and the turnout was declared on the absence of DP members."

In the meantime in the preliminary declaration issued Monday evening by the Referendum Observing mission, which was composed of representatives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, ODHIR, the Council of Europe and European Parliament, is said that "the observers ascertained that on November 22, the voting procedures were held in a correct way."

The U.S. State Department spokesman, issued a statement which said "The United States commends the government and people of Albania for a peaceful and sound referendum on a new Constitution. We are pleased that so many Albanians exercised their rights as citizens to pass judgment on this fundamental document. Albania's new Constitution will give the government an important tool to tackle the serious challenges facing the country. The United States calls for a new, more cooperative political atmosphere in the months ahead."

At the same time, this statement added that it "regret the pattern of obstructionism displayed by the Democratic Party's leadership at the national level and on the Central Electoral Commission." /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Constitution approval - necessity for Albania, Jones

Jones appreciated the approval of the Constitution considering it necessary for Albania, because it will guarantee the rights of the citizens and the coherent functioning of the state institutions.

Asked about the amendments to be made to the Constitution in the future, Jones said that "it is natural. Also, in the United States we have change ten amendments in two years. It is important that Albania has a coherent Constitution now."

While the Minister of Justice, Kondi, estimated the role and contribution of Jones given since 1992 to draft a new Albanian Constitution. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Foreign Parliamentary Commission proposes Selly Becker's decoration

TIRANE, Nov.26 (ATA) - By Y.Papa: The foreign Commission of the Albanian Parliament decided in its meeting held on Thursday to propose to the Albanian President to give the British humanist Selly Becker with "Mother Teresa" award.

The distinguished humanist, who came in Albania some months ago and settled in Tropoja district to help the displayed Kosovars, was wounded two weeks ago by unidentified persons, but her health situation is much better now.

Although wounded she did not accept to leave Bajram Curri town, but declared to continue staying there for helping Kosove children.

The foreign Commission of the Albanian Parliament, supported also the declaration of non-governmental Albanian organizations for human rights, which protest continuously against the Democratic Party attacks made to OSCE Ambassador to Albania, Mr.Dann Everts.

The DP has severely threatened Mr. Everts, and has even asked him to leave Albania through the declatations made by its leaders and in its news conferences. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Handover of all districts referendum final reports ended -CEC will release official voting results

CEC examined the final reports and came to the conclusion that all the documentation was correct and in conformity with law. Most of them were signed by the chairman and deputy chairman of the district commissions, but there were contestable cases, in which the chairman, belonging to Democratic Party, did not accept to sign.

CEC Thursday's meeting, which has begun at 14.00, will examine all the remarks and contests regarding the final results coming from district voting commissions. According to the procedure, presented by CEC chairman Daver Cano the commission will discuss on voting results for all the districts and release the final results on referendum turnout and percentage in favour of the Constitution.

According to the law the official voting reports are due to be released within 24.00 on Thursday. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Albanian integration in Italian labour market

According to the spokesman of this Ministry the number of persons, envisaged to be employed in Italy for 1998, is 3000 people.

The total number is divided into two groups: the first group is comprised by persons repatriated from Italy by the end of 1997 (about 1 500 people), while the second group includes persons, who wqant to work in Italy.

The citizens, who will go to Italy on job contracts, will enjoy the right of family unification. Immediately after being settled in Italy they should go to the police headquarters to begine family unification procedures. /dast/A.A/

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