Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Four drugs distributors arrested

[02] Implementation of second project to rehabilitate health system begins

[03] Albania devotes importance to regional integration - Gjinushi

[04] Commemorative meeting "December 90+8"

[05] Person thought drowned in Otranto joins family

[06] New ferry terminal to be ready in Durres by mid 2000

[07] Enterprises ask for immediate approval of the New Custom House Code

[08] Names of four criminals who killed Tepelene police made public

[09] Scientific colloquy on occasion of 40-th anniversary French Constitution

[10] U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) promotes transportation projects in Albania with $3.6 million in procurement grants

[11] EU coordinator for Royaumont initiative will visit Albania

[12] Shen Kozmai monastery back to restoration process

[13] Greek consulate of Gjirokaster in one day strike

[14] Training of Italian language teachers

[15] KDL: NATO's presence in Kosova indispensable to protect Albanian population

[16] Italian Company "Zooconsulent" wins the tender worth 400.000 ECU for veterinary service

[17] NATO is totally engaged in Albanian Army's restructure

[18] DP demands an international investigation group to inquire into the killing of deputy Azem Hajdari

[19] British Foreign Minister voices his "regret" for self-exclusion approach of Albanian opposition

[20] Training course for Albanian officers of information and communication ends

[21] Peqin: young woman gave birth to 5 children

[22] Argjiro castle - open "arena" of International Festival of works by classical authors

[23] EU assistance for Albanian justice and police

[24] Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 1993 - basis for consolidation of Albanian-Bulgarian relations - President Meidani

[01] Four drugs distributors arrested

The spokesman of the Tirane Police department reported on Tuesday that on Monday at 21.00, the anti-drug police forces arrested citizens Arjan and Eduard Bendo, aged 33 and 30, Roland Kostani, 33, and Kujtim Kalo, 30, inhabitants of Tirane, on charges of drugs distribution.

The first three distributors, when caught by the police in Durres street, near "Qemal Stafa" school, had in their pockets 5,7 gr. of drug for distribution.

During control at the house of the Bendo brothers, the police also found 0,4 gr. of packaged narcotic plant, hidden under a TV set and materials serving to prepare the doses and their trafficking.

At the house of the accomplice of this group, Kujtim Kalo, the police found a TT pistol with seven cartridges, hidden inside a video-cassette. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Implementation of second project to rehabilitate health system begins

The project is part of the Albanian government's strategy to develop health care system in Albania, leaders of Health Ministry and World Bank said at a meeting held in Tirane on Tuesday.

From US$ 28 million, 17 million are soft credit with a 40-year term provided by the World Bank, US$ 2,4 million are provided from the state budget, and US$ 8,6 million will be completed with various donations.

This project, which began implementation since one month ago, intends to strengthen administration and management of the hospital health system, concretely at the University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa".

The project includes the rural and urban areas of the capital, as well as the Institute of Health Insurances and Services, for which another US$ 880.000 have been earmarked for the operation of the managing and informative system. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albania devotes importance to regional integration - Gjinushi

The meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) continues proceedings in Saint Petersburg.

Also attending the meeting were speaker of Albania's Parliament Skender Gjinushi and deputies Servet Pellumbi, Ylli Vejsiu and Theodhori Bej.

At his meeting with current President of PABSEC, Mr. Genadi Selezhnev, the Parliament's speaker, Skender Gjinushi, said that "Albania devotes special importance to regional integration".

Although under a difficult transition, Albania is making all efforts to overcome them and attain stability at home, he said. He assessed the new Constitution of Albania as a Constitution of democratic standards which will further consolidate the rule of law in Albania.

Referring to developments in Kosova Gjinushi said that parliament has clearly expressed itself in support of the Albanian population there and for a peaceful long-term solution to the problem.

Laying a special stress on the PABSEC initiative, Gjinushi said that Albania is interested in a free movement of goods, communication and transport. He said that Albania considers much favourable the removal of double taxes.

He pointed to Albania's active cooperation with the EU countries and the neighboring ones to realise the 8th road. He also stressed Albania's evaluation of bilateral relations with the Russian Federation.

Selezhnev, current president of PABSEC and at the same time speaker of the State Duma of Russian Federation's Federal Assembly, said that it is high time to strengthen the subject of the International Law and Black Sea Cooperation and its transformation into a full shape regional economic organisation.

"We have included Albania in the programme of international development, which is expected to be approved soon," said Selezhnev.

As to the Kosova issue he said: "You already know Russia's approach, which is for a peaceful solution to the problem, which is also a problem for the whole region, and the OSCE mission, on its part, will influence in its solution. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Commemorative meeting "December 90+8"

The December of 1990, which brought about the change of the social system in Albania, from a single party communism to a pluralistic democracy, was commemorated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirane, on Tuesday evening.

The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, was accompanied by views filmed at that time.

The meeting was declared open by former student Blendi Gonxhe, who invited the participants to reflect on "where we were and where we are".

"December '90 belongs to us all and no one should consider it a merit of his own," said Arben Imami, one of the leaders of the students' movement.

Imami invited the participants to stay in silence for a minute in respect for the December leader, Azem Hajdari, who was killed on September 12 of this year. This touching moment was associated by the applause of all the participants in respect for Hajdari.

Other protagonists of that December, Gramoz Pashko, Prec Zogaj and Edi Rama also took the floor.

Frrok Cupi, founder of the first newspaper that represented the Albanian free press, said that the people's idealism in December '90 has been abused.

The floor was also taken by Pandeli Majko, one of the representatives of the students' movement, today Albania's Prime Minister. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Person thought drowned in Otranto joins family

After more than one and a half year, with his relatives thinking him drowned, Muharrem Jance, from the Kerpice village of this district, has returned home.

The chief of the district commissariat, Sinan Metaj, told ATA that "Jance first boarded the "Kater i rades" tragedy boat, but few moments before it set sail from the Vlore shore he changed his mind, got off and boarded a dinghy which took him to southern Italy."

While he was thought drowned, Jance stayed in the northern provinces of Italy, unable to inform of his existence for lack of telegraph communication of Gramsh, damaged during unrest.

Returning home by the end of November, Jance stripped his parents and relatives of the mourning clothes. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] New ferry terminal to be ready in Durres by mid 2000

The first stage of works, undertaken by the Italian firm "Cosmar", envisages the complete reconstruction of 120 meters of the existing quay and construction of 60 meters of new quay.

Besides expanding the area of the quay and works for its modernisation, the second stage will include the construction of a compound to carry out all major port services.

With the completion of the new terminal three ferries will be loaded and unloaded at the same time, which will increase its handling capacity by 50 per cent.

The construction and modernisation of the terminal will be financed by the EU with a fund of 6,7 MECU. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Enterprises ask for immediate approval of the New Custom House Code

In the forum organized from the Development Center of Agribusiness Commercial Enterprises (DCACE) and USAID, businessmen in the field of livestock products, meat etc. stressed the necessity of a collaboration between the agroprocess business and the official bodies for finding the alternatives to develop the agricultural sector.

Ylli Biçoku, chief of DCACE team, asked for more support form the state given through the lowering of the custom taxes for the import raw materials as well as the approving of the New Customs Code. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Names of four criminals who killed Tepelene police made public

The press office close to the Ministry of the Public Order told ATA on Thursday that as a result of the work done, was made possible the identification of the four authors of the crime who are: Fitim Namik Zeqaj, inhabitant of Dukas village in Mallakaster district, Eduart Andon Jorgji, Bledar Demir Boraj and Gezim Namik Karamani, all the three inhabitants of Romzi village of Mallakaster district.

During the control in their dwelling places are found some material proves which charge them with the killing accuse.

Three days ago, in the bus of the line Athine-Tirane with the numberplate PAB 21-93, the four arrested killed the police Kastriot Cici, terrorizing and looting all the passengers. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Scientific colloquy on occasion of 40-th anniversary French Constitution

The 40-th anniversary of French Constitution, approved by referendum of September 28, 1958, coincides almost at the same time with the approval of the new Albanian Constitution by referendum.

Present at opening the colloquy will also be French ambassador in Tirane, Patrick Chrismant. Prof.Dr.Paskal Milo will hold the speech on French-Albanian relations during the years of the Fifth Republic. Speeches will also be held by Dr.Petrit Nathanaili, Dr.Ilir Caushi, as.Prof.Dr.Azem Mezini and Dr.Sabri Laci. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) promotes transportation projects in Albania with $3.6 million in procurement grants

This was announced today in Tirane before reporters by the U.S. Ambassador in Tirane, Marisa Lino and the Albanian Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ingrid Shuli.

One grant will specifically assist Albania while the other two will benefit the region by purchasing equipment for cooperative use in Albania, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia.

"TDA has been actively promoting partnerships between Albania and U.S. companies for the past three years," said TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison. "Important equipment deliveries have already been made as a result of these pioneering efforts. These new grants are the next step toward helping to create a dependable transportation corridor in the South Balkans."

Senior representation from each of the SBDI countries attended the signing ceremony. Ahmet Ceni, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport represented Albania. The U.S. Ambassador to FYR Macedonia, Christopher Hill, and TDA's regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Ned Cabot represented the United States.

A $1.6 million procurement grant will assist Albania in purchasing signalling and related equipment for the country's rail system. This improvement will enhance rail safety and stimulate the country's economy by more efficiently transporting commodities. This grant will complement related procurement assistance offered earlier this year to Albania to purchase $1.6 million in rail communications equipment. Procurement of both the signalling and communications equipment will improve efficiency and safety along with the east-west corridor rail routes in Albania.

Since 1995, TDA has actively promoted U.S. business interests in Albania. In 1996, TDA provided a $2.3. million grant to Albania's Ministry of Transportation for the purchase of road and rail construction equipment and machinery. Half of this equipment has already been delivered and is being used for reconstruction of the east-west corridor between Durres- Tirane-Qafethana.

At the ceremony in Skopje, two $1 million procurement grants will be signed that target the highway infrastructure of Corridor 8, the transportation route connecting Albania, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia. The first grant will allow for the purchase of $1million in traffic counting equipment for cooperative regional use. The equipment will more precisely measure traffic data and better position the countries to qualify for international financial assistance to develop their roads and highways. The second grant will allow for the purchase of $1 million in highway mobile laboratory equipment to measure, test and ensure the condition and quality of highway surfaces along Corridor 8. As with the traffic counting equipment, the highway mobile laboratory will be used by all of these countries.

Founding for these grants will come from the SBDI, a four year, $30 million initiative which was announced by President Clinton in 1995.

The SBDI is designed to help Albania, Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia further develop and integrate their transportation infrastructure along the east-west corridor that connects them. As the three countries upgrade their transportation infrastructure, they foster a more general, regional cooperation and economic integration. TDA is responsible for implementing this initiative by providing support to public and private transportation sector projects which enhance the connection among the three South Balkan countries and promote U.S. export opportunities.

TDA, an independent agency of the U.S. Government, helps form mutually beneficial relationships between U.S. private sector companies and overseas infrastructure and industrial project sponsors. This year, TDA provided assistance in 62 nations around the world. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] EU coordinator for Royaumont initiative will visit Albania

Rumelotis will meet with Prime Minister of Albania, Pandeli Majko, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi and with representatives of international organizations in Tirane.

The aim of the visit is to prepare the coming summit of the countries participating in this Initiative, which, as was determined in the previous meeting held in Athens last March, will be conducted in Tirane the coming spring.

The Royaumont emerged in Royaumont on Dec.13, 1995, in the context of the Paris Conference for peace in former Yugoslavia. The initial idea for its establishment came from France.

The initiative aims at restoring faith and dialogue among the peoples of the region, preventing tensions and crises and creating permanent relations of good neighbourliness in Southeastern Europe, with the aim of guaranteeing stability.

Taking part in this initiative are member states of EU, European Commission, five countries which emerged from the former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, U.S., Russia, international bodies (CE, OSCE.) In the context of this drive, so far six meetings have been realised among the participating states and international organizations. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Shen Kozmai monastery back to restoration process

All the monastery of Shen Kozmai, flooded by the water coming from the Seman river and covered with mud reaching up to a three meter height, needed an emergent intervention.

With the permission of Monuments Institution, in 1997 was drafted a project form the private structure "Genret", the team of which is made up of ex-restorators of the Institute of Monuments. This institute in collaboration with the Albanian Autochephalus Orthodox Church (AAOC) begun "the curing" of Shen Kozmai monastery.

The interventions started in 1997 with some finances made by AAOC and were interrupted at the end of the same year due to the lack of funds. During this process were made the most emergent interventions.

The Shen Kozmai church is situated within this complex. While restoring and digging was discovered a picture presenting the figure of Shen Kozmai, the saint of this region, staying on foot.

Shen Kozmai monastery was built at the beginning of the XXI century with the finances of Ali Pashe Tepelena in honor of Shen Kozmai, with whom Ali Pashe Tepelena had family relations.

Built on the ruins of Shen Mary Church, the complex is in good conditions, but it needs attention and intervention time after time. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Greek consulate of Gjirokaster in one day strike

Sources from the Greek consulate told ATA that the strike is foreseen to last only for one day, and the procedures of giving the visas will begin again on Thursday.

The emergent cases of the Albanian citizens have had a special treatment although it has been a strike day. /l.h/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Training of Italian language teachers

The three day seminary with teachers coming from different districts of the country begun on Wednesday in Tirane.

According to the Director of the high education in the Education and Science Ministry, Rexhep Çuko, the Italian part has accorded also a fund of 2 million Italian liras which will be used for reconstruction of the professional schools in Shkoder and in Vlore. The Education and Science Ministry in collaboration with the Italian embassy, is aiming to extend in 5 years the program of the foreign language school in Tirane. /l.h/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] KDL: NATO's presence in Kosova indispensable to protect Albanian population

"Increase and repositioning of Serb military and police forces in Kosova and recent killings of 13 Albanians, testify that the so much expected cease-fire has not been established and the peace, even the fragile one, is not secured in Kosova," said KDL communique, issued after KLD presidency's meeting, Kosova Information Center reports.

The communique warns that "Serbia is proving a very dangerous conflict in this region" and sterssed that "recently created situation makes indispensable NATO troops presence in Kosova to protect Albanian population."

While regarding the latest draft-document, presented by the American broker Hill, KDL's communique said that this draft is also in thorough inconformity with international community commitment to settle OSCE troops in Kosova and NATO troops in Macedonia, and "to some way, it is an approval of Milutinovic's statement" signed in Prishtine some days before. Thus, it is "completely unacceptable for Albanian side," the mentioned communique said.

The communique says that "KDL has welcomed announcement of Albanian negotiators group to draft an agreement", which will be presented to all the main subjects in Kosova, in order to take the opinion of all Albanian political and military range. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Italian Company "Zooconsulent" wins the tender worth 400.000 ECU for veterinary service

"Zooconsulent" company was introduced in this tender as a company with a long experience in many countries.

Through the fund of 400.000 ECU, "Zooconsulent" company is to improve the legislation on the veterinary service, coordinate the different aids and projects and train the Albanian specialists. The Italian company will also equip the labs of the Veterinary Researching Institute with modern medicaments. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NATO is totally engaged in Albanian Army's restructure

In the framework of contribution given by NATO's office, since five months installed close to the Ministry of Defence, chief of civil mission of this office, Paolo Tonegutti told ATA that "goal of our coming in Albania is applying NATO projects for Albanian Army."

Tonegutti said "Our goal is to restruct Albanian Army in conformity with the parameters of a modern army, conceived according to the models of the other NATO's armies. Within this framework, Albania's President Rexhep Meidani and Premier Pandeli Majko presented a detailed draft on Albanian Army's restructure in our office some 20 days ago."

Chief of the Civil Mission, among the other goals, mentioned the establishment of a civil protection center in Albania.

NATO's office coordinates the assistance NATO's member countries give to restruct Albanian Army. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] DP demands an international investigation group to inquire into the killing of deputy Azem Hajdari

"The creation of such an unbiased investigation group with a set legal status will enable that the killers be uncovered soon," declared the DP Secretary for Public Relations, Vili Minarolli.

Minarolli said that his party appreciated the arrival of the Norwegian prosecutor Walter Wanberg to inquire into this problem, but he added "we would support his efforts in cooperation with Albanian structures only in case the Albanian Attorney's General Office and OSCE will acquaint us with his status."

At the beginning of December, the Norwegian prosecutor Walter Wanberg arrived in Tirane to assist the Albanian Attorney General Office with the important case of the assassination of deputy Azem Hajdari. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] British Foreign Minister voices his "regret" for self-exclusion approach of Albanian opposition

The meeting of the two foreign ministers, as reported by the press department of the Albanian Foreign Ministry, took place in Brussels where senior European diplomats have convened in a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Council of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership, which started in the North Atlantic Alliance headquarters on Tuesday.

The situation in Albania, the crisis in Kosove and questions related with bilateral relations were in the centre of the meeting between ministers Milo and Cook.

After appreciating the process for the approval of the Constitution, Mr Cook concentrated on the approaches of the opposition towards the process for the drafting of the Constitution and lately towards the referendum for the approval of the Constitution, which, according to the senior British diplomat, do not assist at all the democratic processes in Albania.

With regard to Kosove, Cook and Milo highlighted and supported the efforts underway to make the dialogue resume and to bring the crisis to the way of solution.

They also voiced their concern for the road the process for the political settlement is taking. A stalemate in this process, the two ministers underlined, would be a serious danger creating possibilities for the crisis to burst again in the form of an open conflict.

Further on foreign ministers Milo and Cook discussed questions related with the bilateral cooperation between Albania and the Great Britain, the press department of the Albanian FM reports. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Training course for Albanian officers of information and communication ends

The training course was part of the projects of military cooperation between the two armies and countries, members of the Initiative of the Partnership for Peace, said to ATA the head of the Public Relations Department in the Defence Ministry, Dr.Fatmir Zanaj.

The reports in plenary session and the discussion in group focused on the role of media, realization of democratic control in the Armed Forces, new techniques of communication, the experience of the officer in army units, his relations with media, etc. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Peqin: young woman gave birth to 5 children

According to the doctors the children were in good healthy conditions.

Their mother stayed in the maternity 2 months and 10 days before giving birth to her children under doctors' care and control.

Thanks to gynecological examination, 4 children were noticed round 3 months before giving birth, care towards this woman was very high.

Doctors of the maternity say that this is a rare case. According to them such cases may happen 1 in 500 thousand births. Statics show that Albania has not recorded any other case of a woman giving birth to 5 children at the same time. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Argjiro castle - open "arena" of International Festival of works by classical authors

The castle of the southern town of Gjirokaster will welcome in its arena mainly theater troupes from the Mediterranean countries.

The project, initiated last year by the president of the Albanian Theater Centre, Alfred Bualoti, was laid for discussion in the International Institute of the Mediterranean Theater centred in Madrid and found support in the first assembly of that institution, held in Madrid in the first days of December.

The city museum of Gjirokaster and the castle of Argjiro will be in the coming spring or at the end of the summer of 1999, the arena where the masterpieces of the world dramaturgy will be played such as Eschyle, Euripides, Sophocles, Shakespeare, Goldoni, Moliere, etc./dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] EU assistance for Albanian justice and police

European Union (EU) accorded 2,7 million ECU for Albanian government to assist Albanian police and justice, EU delegation press office in Tirane told ATA.

Several contracts, between Albanian government and the representatives from PHARE program close to EU delegation in Tirane, were signed in the framework of PHARE program and assistance in different fields of economy and democracy in Albania.

The assistance, accorded to police, covers an amount of 100 thousand ECU. This project will be realised within the first 6 months of 1999. Some 35 Fiat Iveco buses will be brought along with 30 Wolksvagen cars and 20 Jeeps Mitsubishi, covering 2 million ECU, which will be on the disposal of the Albanian police.

While assistance, accorded to justice, covers the amount of 600 thousand ECU and will be used for the equipment of the District Courts of Elbasan, Durres, Vlore, Gjirokater and Korce. This project will be realised within January-March 1999. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 1993 - basis for consolidation of Albanian-Bulgarian relations - President Meidani

After the ceremonial welcome in the airport of Sofia, a confidential meeting started between presidential couples and later, for about one hour, the two presidents, Meidani and Stojanov, had a tete-a-tete talk.

The talk was followed by a meeting of the two official delegations in which the will for the continuous consolidation of the relations in all the fields between the two countries was expressed by both sides.

Meidani and Stojanov expressed their common commitment for the promotion of the Albanian-Bulgarian cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural and educational fields.

President Meidani said that the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in 1993 between the two countries, is a stable basis for the strengthening of the bilateral relations.

President Meidani voiced once more the full support of Albania for a political settlement of the question of Kosove. /dast/xh/

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