Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

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

[02] Stability of relations based on mutual interest, understanding and confidence

[03] Realisation of concrete projects - Greek Consulate's aim in Korce

[04] Catholic University in Albania still in its initial stage

[05] Shotgun used to kill policeman Kastriot Cici recovered

[06] "Onufri" Contest ready to welcome Balkan artists

[07] Some 280 thousand dollars for mentally disabled pupils

[08] Dollar keeps falling

[09] Increasing number of people infected with viral hepatitis in Has

[10] Great number of drug addicts in Albania

[11] U.S.KDOM accompanies Serb patrols

[12] Consumer price index increased by 0.21 % in November

[13] Albanians want to win time, Drashkoviç

[14] Commenced investigations on Serb massacre in Arbi, Drenice

[15] Centre-right decides to return to Parliament

[16] New custom house chief nominated in Korçe

[17] Treating program for asthmatic persons

[18] Power of State to be felt all over the country - Majko

[19] Some 6 persons in jails for looting in Maja e Malit

[20] Albania's ties with EU strengthened

[21] Prices of milk products and clothes increase

[22] Budget incomes realized by 75.3% of annual plan

[23] Friendly initiative between Italian and Albanian youths

[01] 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.

The two presidents shared the same opinion on the possibility of cooperation for Corridor 8, the gas transporter Burgas-Skopje-Vlore, etc.

In the context of the cooperation between the two countries in all the fields, President Meidani stressed as important the liberalization of visas and consular facilities for merchants.

Presidents Meidani and Stojanov highlighted as important the encouragement of the contacts between the two countries, which will be followed by the exchange of visits by foreign ministers and the visit of the Bulgarian Parliament Speaker in Tirane.

Then, the two Presidents gave a news conference for about one hour.

Asked by reporters, President Meidani said that the problem of Kosove took an important place in the tete-a-tete meeting he had with his Bulgarian counterpart.

Meidani said that the ethnic cleansing and Serb violence are continuing in the terrain covered by demagogic acts. President Meidani said that the international community was late in its decision, but he voiced the resolution of the international factor to give a political and realistic solution to the problem. Kosova demands political realism, not only for today, but for tomorrow, he continued.

President Meidani highlighted the role of the U.S. and its envoy Ambassador Hill with regard to a solution of the problem.

Albania supports completely a political solution of the question of Kosove, the acting of the international factor there in this direction only in a peaceful way, he said.

Regarding the relations with FYR Macedonia, President Meidani said that important progress has been made in the bilateral cooperation.

Asked about the new Macedonian Government, President Meidani voiced his belief that despite the changes of the governments on the basis of the free vote, the concepts of Europeanization of the Balkans, Euro-Atlantic institutions will be embraced by all governments and political forces.

We shall be encouraged by the concept of integration and the concept for the establishment of civil rule of law instead of a national one, in order to ensure the rights and equality for every citizen, he said. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Stability of relations based on mutual interest, understanding and confidence

TIRANE, Dec.9 (ata) - "Stability of the relations is based on the mutual interest, understanding and confidence," said Albanian President Rexhep Meidani in his address on occasion of the reception extended in his honour in the context of his official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria.

"Our two peoples have had the same history regarding their efforts for freedom, complete development and democratization. We notice with pleasure that the Albanian-Bulgarian relations are developing today in the spirit of friendship and cooperation in all the fields of interest for our two countries and peoples," continues the Head of State of Albania.

"I congratulate the Bulgarian Government for its contribution to the successful development of these relations.

The Albanian Government, while aiming the Euro-Atlantic integration of the country and good neighbourliness, is committed to carrying out profound institutional and economic reforms according to European standards. In all these efforts, the assistance and support of Bulgaria has been present both in the bilateral and in the multilateral aspects, in the context of the U.N., OSCE and the Partnership for Peace. In the future we will be interested that the relations in all the fields be encouraged and materialised through a number of agreements which are or will be signed.

Albania has managed to establish relations of cooperation and good neighbourliness with all the countries of the region, where Bulgaria takes, without doubt, a special place. We aim to make our relations set an example of good neighbourliness to the region, in order to turn our region into a worthy part of Europe, by respecting the sacred political and human rights sanctioned in international conventions.

Unfortunately, we are seeing in the few past year the emerging of the former stereotype according to which the Balkans was compared to a "powder keg." Somebody bears the responsibility for this, certainly excluding here Albania and Bulgaria. But our task, and the task of the regional countries is to unite with the international community in denuncing and isolating of the policies which have caused numerous calamities to the Balkans at the end of our century, by encouraging and supporting peace, democracy, life and human dignity in our region." /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Realisation of concrete projects - Greek Consulate's aim in Korce

According to him, over the three months of its work the Consulate is concentrated on consolidation of friendship, promotion of the relations and realisation of joint projects between both neighbouring countries.

"Greek Consulate in Korce has initiated the talks between the Ministries of Transport of both countries to put into operation Korce airport, whose opening would help business and economic development in both sides of the border," he said adding that there is already a concrete project regarding this. Also the realisation of European Union project on infrastructure and specially the highway connecting Korce with northern Greece, which will be a powerful impulse for economic development of Korce.

This Consulate has also promoted the cooperation of local government officials of Korce with their counterparts in Greece aiming the realisation of the concrete projects in electricity, heating, etc. It is examining the possibility for Korce to have access to Internet, in order to present touristic and business resources as well as the culture of this town. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Catholic University in Albania still in its initial stage

Ideated over the visit of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani to the Holy See and precisely in the talk with Pope John Paul 2nd, they reached an understanding on the establishment of a high education Catholic centre, but "with a completely laic program as is the case in many other countries where such institutions exist," said on this occasion the Arch Bishop of Tirane, Durres and All Albania, Rrok Mirdita.

As the high apostolic nuncio to Albania, Mirdita said, "the realisation of this idea is a joint will of the Holy See and the Albanian senior state authorities." "We," he continued, "are working seriously for the realisation of this idea. Though there are a lot of modalities to be met, the district or concrete place where it will be set up not yet defined, the Vatican has voiced its full support for the establishment of this university. To this purpose also served the recent meeting of Monsignor Mirdita with the Mayor of Durres, Arqile Gorea. The latter said they welcome the construction of the Catholic University in the outskirts of Durres.

The Council of Ministers adopted last Wednesday the law "On higher education," whose first article recognizes the right of the creation and development of private higher education in Albania, said to ATA the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Mimoza Hafizi. The law will also enable the creation of an Albanian Catholic university, stressed Hafizi. /a.ke/dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Shotgun used to kill policeman Kastriot Cici recovered

The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA Thursday that in the course of the work to gather proofs for the assassination of policeman Kastriot Cici, the police commissariat of Mallakaster and the police department of Fier Prefecture managed to recover the shotgun with which the killers realised the crime.

The spokesman added that police had also found another shotgun with which the killers had threatened and looted passengers on the Athens-Tirane service bus. Both these arms were hidden in the home of Fitim Namik Zeqaj, in village Dukas of Mallakaster. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] "Onufri" Contest ready to welcome Balkan artists

"Greece will not take part, despite the efforts made with Greece Embassy in Tirana," the caretaker of this contest, Edi Muka told ATA.

While the contest is expected to be opened in the third week of December, Serbia has not confirmed its participation.

Round 100 Albanian artists will present their works in "Onufri" Contest.

Jury of the contest will be international and composed of renowned personalities of visual arts from Italy, England, Macedonia, Turkey, etc. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Some 280 thousand dollars for mentally disabled pupils

Since 15 days works for the reconstruction of mentally disabled pupils' school has begun. Norwegian government has provided a fund of 180 thousand dollars for this reason. While "Mission without frontiers" has provided 100 thousand dollars for the equipment. Also, a new van is given to this school.

Head of Education Department of the district, Lavdosh Beqiraj told ATA that the school will be ready in March, next year. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Dollar keeps falling

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Increasing number of people infected with viral hepatitis in Has

Jaku told ATA that the epidemic has been a result of the mixture of drinking water with sewage matter, initially in the town of Krume and nearby villages, and later in other zones of the district.

Such a situation has aggravated the situation in the civil hospital in Krume, which has no special pavilion for contagious diseases, a fact which has recently caused fear among other patients to be treated in that hospital because of the jaundice. According to him, the main concern of the hospital staff is the fact that the amount of serums and medicaments is becoming fewer because of the further spread of the disease, characteristic for the winter period in this zone, and the fact that more than 300 Kosovars have been treated in that hospital within a short period of time. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Great number of drug addicts in Albania

Cities, mostly affected by drugs, are Tirane, Durres, Shijak, Shkoder, Vlore and Elbasan. Sources from the Association "Fight against Drug addiction and trafficking" say that 200 drug addicts are VIP's children.

Narcotics mostly affected age-groups are teenagers and university youths. Males use drugs more than females. Drug addicts prefer heroine (90% of the cases), while other types of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are also used.

A '97 poll, asking 770 students and carried out in two Faculties of Tirane, showed that 10% of these students were regular drug addicts.

Drug addicts in Albania can be divided in three categories. First category includes Albanian emigrants, returned from Italy, Switzerland and Greece, who were the first to use narcotics and bring it here. Second category includes youths, belonging to middle and high strata of the society, who make the greatest number of the drug addicts. Third category includes a small number of senior officials and politicians, artists and journalists.

Meanwhile, cultivation of narcotic plants is well-known in Albania. From 1992 to 1996 some 80 tons narcotic plants were transported to Greece and Italy. State failed to provide credits or secure a market for agricultural products, thus, hundreds of land areas were planted with cannabis sativa.

From 1992 to 1993 some 15 areas, planted with narcotic plants, were uncovered for the first time. The emigrants, who had found a market for the drugs in Greece, won too much money from this traffic.

It is presumed that Albania joined West European drug traffic in '94. During that period the police discovered 50 centers cultivating marijuana and other drugs.

Culture of drugs has entered in Albania. Risk of Columbian style syndrome is real. Meanwhile, the country risks to become branch of drug trafficking. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] U.S.KDOM accompanies Serb patrols

Judging this policy of accompanying, criticized by Europeans, the official report of KDOM says that "the policy of the U.S. KDOM to accompany police patrolling groups in Malisheve has been criticized by OSCE and the criticism was focused on the fact that ethnic Albanians have viewed this act by U.S. KDOM as a support for the presence of the Serb police in the region. In defence of the U.S. policy, a non-American KDOM team has stressed that the KLA supports the policy of accompanying by U.S. KDOM and that it will continue that policy in the region of Malisheve, since it has been efficient to preserve the armistice. Furthermore, the above report says, U.S. KDOM will bring in the coming days one of its teams in Malisheve.

The report of KDOM also wrote that some Yugoslav army members continue to be deployed in a school of Junik, together with armament, a tank T-55 and troops transporter. KDOM has seen 11 members of the Yugoslav army staff at school and has informed the Serb police commander in Kosove that the new police road check in Llapushnik has been established contrary to the truce agreement. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Consumer price index increased by 0.21 % in November

The CPI increase in November has mainly resulted from a 2.6% increase of the price index of the "Rent, water, fuel, and energy" group, which affected the CPI increase by 0.31%.

While the "Food, Drinks, and Tabocco" group has decreased by 0.13 % affecting the CPI by 0.13%. This is mainly result of a decrease in the price index of the "Fruit and vegetables" subgroup. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanians want to win time, Drashkoviç

The leader of the Serb Restoration Party told the journalists that he knows nothing about the new version of the Hill plan, but the fact that "Rugova has angrily rejected it, shows that it does not foresee the independence of Kosova, the status of the federal unit or the fact that the Southern region may remain an international protectorate," informs the Kosova Information Center.

"If anything of this kind was foreseen in Hill's plan, it was to be accepted by Ibrahim Rugova's staff," said Drashoviç adding that the warning of the Albanian part to introduce its own version of the plan is a "fraud". According to him the American special envoy is trying to find a compromise solution for Kosova problem, but, he stressed that "the compromise is desired but it should be known that the compromise does not exist for some things. There is no compromise about the border lines, the Serb territorial entity and the federal state," voiced Drashkoviç. He expressed his belief that the United Nation Organization, the European Union and the United States will soon "tell the staff of Ibrahim Rugove that they wait in vain for the state of Kosove and for the Serbian parceling out". /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Commenced investigations on Serb massacre in Arbi, Drenice

This international mission composed of a Finnish expert team of forensic experts headed by Helen Rantta, discovered today the cadavers of 22 members of an Albanian family massacred during the Serb offensive of end- July of the current year, while the examination will be held after the sending of cadavers in Prishtine.

The chief of the OSCE mission in Kosove, Wiliam Uoker visited Abri village, Skenderaj commune, on Wednesday. The international Mission which is investigating the crimes even in other localities in Kosove, has met even representatives of the Kosova Liberation Army and representatives of the Human Right Council. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Centre-right decides to return to Parliament

This parliamentary group, which comprises the Legality Movement Party, the Christian-democratic Party, the Liberal Union Party, the Democrat Union Party as well as the National Front Party, had earlier declared that it would reconsider its approach to the Assembly, which, according to them, remained the tribune of free speech.

The approach of the Centre-right, allied with the Democratic Party within the opposition political grouping "Union for Democracy", has not been supported by this party, which has declared itself for a final boycott of parliament.

The DP decision for a final boycott of parliament was not supported either from the international institutions such as EU, CoE, OSCE, which after this decision called on the DP to reconsider their attitude towards parliament and play the role of a constructive opposition in the country's political life. /y.pa/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] New custom house chief nominated in Korçe

Avxhiu was a financial clerk in the electric affiliation in Korçe district. The ex-leader Fejzullahi is transferred to the post of a simple custom house officer in Kapshtice custom house.

The Korçe custom house has realized the incomes by 105.5% for the 11 month period, while the plan for the first 9 days of this month is realized only by 26.4%. This has resulted from the one week long strike of the Greek custom house officers.

Avxhiu is the forth chief in this custom house during the two last years. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Treating program for asthmatic persons

Referring to the recent Albanian studies, the asthma affects 3.1% of the children aged 6-7 years old, and 1.6% of children aged 13-14 years.

These figures are lower as compared with those of the Western countries and almost the same with the figures of the Eastern Europe.

The causes of the increase of asthma cases are due to the change of the environment outside the dwelling place as well as the exposure of the children to the allergens. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Power of State to be felt all over the country - Majko

Fight against crime was the topic discussed at the meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Justice Thimio Kondi, Chief of the Army's General staff, Brigade-General Aleks Andoni.

Majko raised problems that have to do with the intensification of the fight against crime by all the state structures, especially by the police. He stressed that the fight against criminality requires an increase of coordination and cooperation among certain structures legally charged with uncovering and attacking criminal activity.

"An upward trend of criminality as well as several terrorist acts charge the state and especially the police with the task of defining the strategy and tactics to fight crime, to prevent and severely attack it at any stage of development," said the participants at the meeting.

Majko pointed to the indispensability of fighting contraband and cleansing the police ranks from elements who are involved in, help or profit from this activity.

"The Commission of Nomination and that of Discipline, two links which will help nominate the personnel, based on professional criteria and moral purity, will be set up at this institution very soon," said Majko.

The participants in the meeting stressed that in their fight against criminality the police have and will have financial support from the state, the neighboring states and international organisations.

They said that the whole Albanian society is helping and will continue to contribute to the state's fierce fight against crime, because criminality has currently become a serious obstacle in the country's economic development and progress of the democratic society. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Some 6 persons in jails for looting in Maja e Malit

The spokesman of the Ministry of the Public Order told ATA that the citizens Pashk Mark Gjergji, aged 31, and Mikel Gjon Gjoni, aged 20, were put in jails on Thursday midday.

The two arrested persons are authors of the armed looting of a vehicle full of passengers which happened on July 25 of the current year, as well as looting the passengers of the Rreshen-Kukes line, added the spokesman.

Some four members of the same gang were arrested two days ago. The investigations to catch other possible collaborators with this looting continue. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Albania's ties with EU strengthened

At his meeting with Santer ambassador Hoxha thanked the European Commission and the EU institutions in general for the comprehensive aid provided for Albania and expressed the desire to have close relations with the EU.

Santer stressed that the European Commission has always been optimistic about Albania's development and that the EU aid for development, which in Albania's case is the highest per capita among the PHARE countries, will continue also in the future.

He praised the approval of the Constitution, as an important foundation of Albania's democracy.

Santer assessed the International Conference on Albania, held in Tirane by the end of October, as a significant moment and said that compliance with its conclusions will help Albania's development.

At his meeting with Ferrero-Valdner, Hoxha thanked the Austrian presidency for tackling the Kosova issue. The two exchanged thoughts on further programmes for strengthening Albanian-EU relations. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Prices of milk products and clothes increase

The Index Price of the "Clothes and shoes" group has increased by 1.01% affecting IP by 0.03%. The prices of sweaters for men and children and pedded jacket for women have kept increasing during this period, respectively by 2.4%,2% and 3%.

While the index price of the "entertaiment, education, culture" group has increased by 0.22%, affecting the increase of IP by 0.01%. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Budget incomes realized by 75.3% of annual plan

Taking into consideration the income-level for many years, the economic growth untill the end of the year, and the effects of the political situation of the last months, the incomes are expected to reach 94% of the annual plan, that is, 20.3% of GDP. The tax incomes are going to be 12.5% of the GDP.

The incomes from VAT are going to be twice higher in 1998 than in 1997, while the custom duties will be 70%. A general increase in all the other kind of custom duties is predicted. /linda/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Friendly initiative between Italian and Albanian youths

The chairmanship of this activity is leaded by the Adviser Dr. Giorgio Cherubini, chief of the Special Diplomatic Delegation, and Dr. Alfred Koçollari, director in the Ministry of the Work and Social Affairs.

These activities are held in the framework of the agreement between the two homologous institutions and the mutual collaboration of the two countries non-governmental bodies.

Problems concerning the human rights and intoleration in the civil society are to be treated during the two days of this activity.

The Italian-Albanian friendship, the Italian aids for Albania, and the programs for women and minors are are some of the issues to be discussed in the meeting.

This activity is being hold under the attention of the Albanian pro Minors Committee, the Association "The children's friends", the Italian Association for International Development, the forum of the Albanian non- governmental organizations and others. /pas/A.A/

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

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